Junior's Deli to Close within Days

[Orli Belman]

Oy vey! After over a half century on the Westside, Junior's Deli will be out of business by the end of the year, reports the Los Angeles Times. The story says that the restaurant's  nearly 100 employees were told on Wedensday that doors would be closing within days. According to the article, a rent dispute with property landlord Four Corners Investments is the reason for the sudden shutter. Rising food prices and decreasing diners were also cited as challenges facing the Rancho Park institution at the corner of Pico and Westwood Blvds.

“It’s catastrophic for me,” said David Saul, who co-owns the business with his brother John.  “I’m at a loss. It’s like I’m grieving a death.”

David and John run the family-owned-business founded by their late father Marvin in 1959. The current location is the deli's second (it was on Pico Blvd until 1967) and the brothers tell the Times they hope to reopen at a new site in the future.

LA Observed has more on the sad-news story and a question about the future of Rancho Park's busiest commercial intersection, which has seen a lot of turn over in recent times. Junior's follows the loss of the Barnes and Noble book store and others. The area is adjacent to the under-construction Expo Line and walking distance to it's Westwood station.

[John A. Abel]

This is sad news indeed.I'm going to get one last Chopped Liver on Rye and sweet and sour cabbage soup in this weekend.