Schaber's Cafeteria

Schaber's Cafeteria was a cafeteria originally located at 620 South Broadway in the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles.[1]

History

Alfred T. Schaber, a German immigrant, began his career as a busboy for his cousins the Boos brothers. Schaber launched his cafeteria in 1928, on Broadway in a building designed by Charles F. Plummer,[2] that same architect who designed the Boos family residence[3] and several other retail and hospitality buildings.[4] The Schaber's Cafeteria Building replaced the Platt Music Company Building at a cost of approx. $400,000 ($7.5 million in 2025).[5]

Schaber's Cafeteria was capable of serving up to 10,000 patrons daily. It featured Spanish-style decor and a mural by Einar Peterson, along with an air purification system known as the Sturtevant Air Washer. The cafeteria was popular even during the Great Depression; it was advertised as having a welcoming atmosphere free from the struggles of the era.[1][5][6]

Schaber's expanded its business through the 1950s and 1960s. However, in 1947, they sold their Broadway location to Forum Cafeterias, who renamed it Forum Cafeteria, for $517,000 ($7.45 million in 2025). The location was renamed again in 1973, this time to Broadway Cafeteria, and it operated into the 1980s.[1]

In 1955, Schaber's Cafeteria opened its first branch in Valley Plaza in North Hollywood, at a cost of $500,000 ($6.01 million in 2025).[7] This location remained open until 1998, when it closed due to dwindling patronage. Other Schaber's locations continued operating until the business was sold in 1976.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Serving up the past". The Los Angeles Times. April 1, 1997. p. 23.
  2. ^ "Charles Fraser Plummer". Archinform. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  3. ^ "Charles F. Plummer". LA Conservancy. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  4. ^ "Plummer, Charles F. Architect". PCAD. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "New Cafeteria (Schaber's) to be Opened Soon on South Broadway". Los Angeles Evening Express. April 4, 1928. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  6. ^ "Plan Great New L.A. Cafeteria". Los Angeles Evening Post-Record. April 6, 1928. p. 6.
  7. ^ "Al Dilernia New Manager of Schaber's". Los Angeles Mirror. August 19, 1955. p. 27.
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