EXCITING NEWS !

This is from the on-line Pasadena Star News:

Johnie's Broiler to be rebranded
By Samantha Gonzaga, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 04/08/2008 11:33:47 PM PDT

DOWNEY - Fifteen months after an illegal demolition, a yearlong moratorium and well-attended classic-car cruises in its honor, the iconic Johnie's Broiler is being resurrected as a Bob's Big Boy.

Torrance Bob's Big Boy owner Jim Louder confirmed that there is a long-term lease agreement between him and Johnie's owner Christos "Johnie" Smyrniotis.
"We're moving ahead with our plans," Louder said. "And we have a lot of work to do to get to this construction stage and whatnot, but I'm hoping to be able to start with the demolition fairly soon."

Johnie's Broiler, 7447 Firestone Blvd., was illegally bulldozed in January 2007 by Smyrniotis' lessee, Ardas Yanik. Yanik, who has since apologized for the razing, was subleasing to a used car dealership.

Since its demolition, local groups such as Friends of Johnie's and Coalition to Rebuild Harvey's organized cruises in hopes of attracting investors willing to rebuild the Googie-style drive-through.

The site was originally a Harvey's Broiler owned by Harvey Ortner, who opened it in 1958. It was bought by Smyrniotis in 1966 and renamed Johnie's. At the height of its popularity and business, Johnie's was a major spot for hot-rodders and car enthusiasts, with a facility that accommodated up to 350 parked vehicles and offered car service for 98.

It drew loyal patrons from throughout the Southland, including Whittier, La Mirada and La Habra.

In December, Downey city leaders decided not to extend the site's development moratorium. Instead, an agreement was drawn between the city and Smyrniotis, stating that any future developments at the site would be overseen by the city.

It also made Smyrniotis responsible for reimbursing the city's $25,000 cost of hiring a historic preservation consultant to evaluate and determine which of Johnie's remaining architectural elements are still salvageable.

Among the survivors was the drive-through's famous "Fat Boy" sign.

Adriene Biondo - whose nonprofit organization has consulted with the city - considered news of the new lease agreement in a different light.
"I feel like (Louder)'s making history with these first steps to reconstruct the Broiler," she said.

Biondo praised city officials for putting a moratorium on the 90,000-square-foot site. Although Downey doesn't have a historic preservation ordinance in place, the City Council's decision to respond to community concerns contributed to conservation efforts, she said.

samantha.gonzaga@presstelegram.com
(562) 499-1284

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The Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee, Friends of Johnie's & The Coalition to Rebuild the Broiler are excited to announce that

BOB'S BIG BOY

is in negotiations to REBUILD THE BROILER!

News is spreading like wildfire since we received the official announcement from

the City of Downey that Bob's Big Boy and the owner of Johnie's Broiler are

working together to come to terms on rebuilding The Broiler!! Johnie's Broiler,

built in 1958, qualified as a State landmark but was illegally demolished last year.

In order to make this fantastic dream of actually having Johnie's return as a

1950s style restaurant, we are asking for your support at a very important

City Council meeting this coming

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008
7:30pm

Downey City Hall
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241 (562) 904-7274

We're almost at the finish line, so please do everything you can to be there!
It would be great if you can speak, but if you'd prefer not to don't worry about it -- coming to the meeting makes a powerful statement! Let's all support the Downey community who has worked for so many years to preserve this So Cal icon!

If you can't make it, e-mail our councilmembers by 5pm, Mon., Feb. 25th:

http://www.downeyca.org/city_contact_email.php

Contact: Adriene Biondo - Chairman,

Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee:

(818) 943-6621 or AdrieneBiondo@gmail.com

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