Sighs of relief and muffled cries of jubilation greeted Mayor Abbe Land’s announcement that the local cultural landmark designation of Irv’s Burgers would remain on the consent calendar at the Council meeting on September 19, ensuring its passage. Shortly afterward, relieved of the anxiety that had consumed them since a rumor floated last week that the designation would be pulled from consent because of opposition to it, the Burger Brigade stood in a gleeful clump at the microphone. Sonia Hong, universally-liked owner of Irv’s, beamed from their midst, thanking the West Hollywood City Council for saving a beloved community institution. 
The Burger Brigade surround Sonia Hong while thanking the city Council for saving Irv’s Burgers. By Ryan Gierach. |
Irv’s is saved.
The Burger Brigade, a grassroots activist group formed expressly to save Irv’s from a previous developer’s plans to demolish the burger stand to replace it with a Peet’s Coffee, began the process of acquiring a Local Cultural Landmark Designation nearly ten months ago. After the council received a recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission last month, Council member Jeff Prang put the issue on the consent calendar for the Sept. 19 meeting. That calendar of items is one where there is a consensus on the council; an item can be “pulled” from the consent calendar and placed on a public hearing calendar of a later meeting if a council member so requests. An e mail had circulated in the week of Sept. 12 warning that the item may be pulled and encouraging people to attend the meeting to speak out on the matter.
Irv's is saved.
The owner of the property, Irving Gendis, founder of Irv’s Burgers, a business the Hong family, Sonia, Sean and Mama (or Mamasoon) put their life savings and hearts into several years ago, had leased the development rights for the property to a firm that courted Peet’s, who needed to demolish the stand to build enough parking for the coffee shop. Peet’s, upon realizing the adverse public reaction to their plans, backed away from the project.
The venerable but ever lively, Irv’s Burger stand – one of the last on Route 66, will remain a burger stand. By Ryan Gierach |
That developer has since sold his interest in the land to another developer who has promised to not only stop the harassment inflicted on the Hongs, but has also promised the Hongs he would do a much-needed renovation of the property. The previous developer hiked the Hong’s rent over 60 percent after he announced plans to demolish the stand.
“They raised the rent from $2,000 to $3,250. But the new owner, they are going to replace the roof over the dining area and replace the fence and make it all nice,” said Sean Hong the day after the designation. Sonia and Mama make the most acclaimed burgers in WeHo, (and much other well-regarded fare, like rice bowls and burritos), served up with a smile and a personal note written on each customers paper plate - “For You! Frank (or Marci)” with a smiley face. On Tuesday, the plates all came with that and more - a finely drawn hand held in a “V for victory” pose, along with a “Victory for Irv’s” note.
This vacant lot to the west of Irv’s has long been the subject of land use speculation. How can it be used well, given the parking restrictions and the location? By Ryan Gierach. |
The Burger Brigade, admittedly, had been trying to save their slice of community heaven, a place where everyone feels special, is made to feel at home, while also saving a precious slice of Americana – one of the last burger stands on Route 66.
Many scholars and authors, however, have written compellingly about the importance of establishments like Irv’s and Tale o’ the Pup, another West Hollywood Local Cultural Landmark near Cedars-Sinai Hospital on San Vicente Boulevard. Irv’s, located as it is kitty-corner from City Hall on Santa Monica Boulevard at Sweetzer, has served up burgers to the working men and women who traveled and worked along Route 66 since 1953. Roadside stands like these, the precursors to “fast food” restaurants like McDonalds, are fast disappearing in urban centers due to rising land prices and developer’s need to generate more income from their property, a phenomenon that endangered Irv’s jerry-built and slightly ramshackle place.
Council member Jeff Prang, who had to officially recuse himself from voting on the issue, told WeHoNews.com that he agreed with that assessment of Irv's as important slice of history needing preservation.
"West Hollywood is all about diversity - in all things, not only in people's lives or opinions, but also in its buildings and its institutions. It shows we respect modest buildings for their historical importance like we do the fine ones. People who are concerned about gentrification in West Hollywood should be as ecstatic over the saving of this roadside burger stand," he said.
He then breathed a sigh of relief that the neighborhood burger joint was saved - Mr. Prang had recused himself because he lives within 500 ft. of the property. "I like the place. The business is widely loved, and an important part of the community. City Hall received hundreds of calls and letters about Irv's. It's become a neighborhood institution," he said.
Irv’s is saved.
The Hongs have every intention of keeping the burgers and fries flowing from a building that has been saved from demolition, by the sheer determination of the neighborhood. “For You ;~}”
Irv's is at 8289 Santa Monica Boulevard.
Phone: 323) 650-2456
Tell Sonia your name and that WeHoNews sent you for a special plate. And then have the time of your life.
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