Formosa Cafe facts for kids
The Formosa Cafe is a famous restaurant and bar that first opened in 1925. You can find it at 7156 Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, California. It's known for its long history and connection to Hollywood stars.
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History of the Formosa Cafe
The Formosa Cafe was started in 1925 by Jimmy Bernstein, who used to be a boxer. He first set up his restaurant inside an old Red Car trolley. This trolley was a type of streetcar that used to run all over Los Angeles. It was located right next to a big movie studio.
In 1945, a man named Lem Quon joined Jimmy Bernstein as a partner. Lem Quon later took full ownership of the cafe in 1976. The restaurant stayed in the family, with Lem Quon's grandson, Vince Jung, later taking over. Many people worked at the Formosa Cafe for a very long time. For example, a bartender named Lindy Bremerton worked there for almost 50 years!
A Favorite Spot for Movie Stars
The Formosa Cafe became very popular with movie stars and people from the film industry. This was because it was so close to a major movie studio across the street. This studio was first called United Artists and later Warner Bros.
Many famous actors have eaten meals at the Formosa Cafe over the years. Stars like Humphrey Bogart, David Janssen, and Clark Gable were regular visitors. Even Frank Sinatra was known to spend time there in the 1950s.
Saving a Landmark
In 1991, the Formosa Cafe was almost torn down. Its lease was ending, and there were plans to build a new shopping center. However, many people and groups worked hard to save the restaurant. They wanted to protect it because it was an important landmark. Thanks to their efforts, the Formosa Cafe was saved and stayed in its original spot.
The food at the Formosa Cafe is mostly Chinese-inspired. Some dishes include Beijing Chicken, Mongolian beef, and bok choy. Even after almost being demolished, celebrities continued to visit the cafe.
Changes and Reopening
In 2004, a large shopping mall called the West Hollywood Gateway was built right next to the historic restaurant. The mall made the Formosa Cafe look much smaller in comparison.
In 2015, the inside of the restaurant was changed. Its original red-and-black style from the 1940s was removed and replaced with a more "modern" look. Many customers were not happy about this change because they loved the old, nostalgic feel of the place. Because of these negative reactions, much of the original interior was put back.
However, less than 18 months after these changes, the Formosa Cafe closed suddenly in late 2016. But good news came in June 2017! The Los Angeles Times newspaper announced that the cafe would reopen with a new company in charge, called the 1933 Group.
