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Save Irv's Burgers!
Irv’s Burgers, a tiny stand located
at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard
and Sweetzer Avenue, has served as
a meeting place for the West Hollywood
community for six decades. In addition
to its colorful and long list of celebrity
patrons, it is a true monument to
Route 66 history and post World War
II roadside architecture.
Unfortunately, due to neighborhood
development and gentrification, Irv’s
Burgers is struggling to stay open
and remain at its original location.
The stand is owned by the Hongs, a
Korean-American family who invested
their entire life's savings in buying
Irv’s business from a former
tenant of long-time owner Irving Gendis.
The Hongs are beloved by scores of
West Hollywood residents and businesses,
many of whom eat there daily. Sadly,
the Hong’s five year lease has
expired and they are currently operating
on a month to month agreement with
their new landlord. Currently, the
building’s land lease is held
by Seltzer Commercial Real Estate
who plans to develop the corner lot
and lease the space to other operators.
The loss of Irv’s in West Hollywood
would be another blow to our fragile
Los Angeles culture. Destruction of
this landmark would erase:
1) Another integral link to the Route
66 heritage
2) A classic post-World War II roadside
stand
3) A genuine neighborhood eatery
4) The livelihood and future of a
hardworking family
In just a few visits to Irv’s
Burgers, one clearly realizes the
value of this small business. The
Hongs know all of their customers
by name and many people stop by daily
just to check in with them and get
the local news. Every customer is
recognized; each order out of the
kitchen window has a personalized,
handwritten caricature on a paper
plate with a 'Just for You' caption
in Sonia's handwriting.
Although thousands of neighbors and
adjacent businesses have written letters
like this one, made phone calls and
signed petitions to save this iconic
burger stand, we still urgently request
your help and support. Please listen
to the voices of the community and
prevent the loss of an important part
of Los Angeles’ heritage and
culture.
jduran@weho.org, sguarriello@weho.org,
jheilman@weho.org, jprang@weho.org,
aland@weho.org, parevalo@weho.org,
seltzerg@aol.com, mseltzer@yahoo.com
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