UPDATE: Raising Cane’s won’t take over Norms

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UPDATE 12/5/24: Raising Cane’s has decided not to pursue its plans to replace the historic Norms restaurant on La Cienega Boulevard near Beverly Grove with one of its restaurants. The fast-food chain announced it would no longer present its proposal to the LA Conservancy regarding the site’s preservation, as previously scheduled.

In a letter to the Cultural Heritage Commission, Raising Cane’s stated, “We have heard the community’s concerns, and we are in discussions with Norm’s about the future of the site.”

The Norms location, which has been in operation for over 60 years, is a designated historic landmark. As the property owner, Raising Cane’s was required to demonstrate how it would maintain the site’s historic integrity if it proceeded with taking over the operation.

Although Raising Cane’s has not disclosed its next steps for the property, it remains unclear whether the company will continue leasing the space to Norms or explore other options.

 


 

The fate of Norms La Cienega, an iconic diner and beloved landmark of mid-century Googie architecture, is on the line as plans to shutter it head for the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission’s review on December 5.

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Raising Cane’s Restaurants LLC, which purchased the property in 2021 for $16 million, has proposed rehabilitating the building for a new restaurant use, raising concerns among preservationists and community members about the potential displacement of this historic business.

Norms La Cienega, located at 470 N. La Cienega Blvd., opened in 1957 and remains the oldest operating location in the Norms chain. It was designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 1090 in 2015 following a concerted preservation effort. Designed by Eldon Davis of Armét & Davis, the diner exemplifies the Googie style popular in the postwar era, featuring a dramatic upswept roof, bold geometric shapes, extensive use of glass and neon, and its iconic sawtooth pennant sign.

The Norms story began in 1949 when Los Angeles native Norm Roybark opened a 24-hour diner near Sunset and Vine, one of the first of its kind in Southern California. Its promise of “great food, great service, and great value” quickly made it a neighborhood favorite. Over the decades, Norms expanded to 24 locations across Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties, with plans for further growth, including a location in Las Vegas. Norms helped define casual family dining in the region, building a loyal customer base that spans generations. Its inviting atmosphere, fresh and affordable meals, and commitment to community involvement have made it a lasting presence in Southern California life.

The La Cienega location has a particularly rich legacy, not only architecturally but also culturally. Its iconic sawtooth sign, originally sketched on a napkin by Roybark and Davis, has become a defining feature of Norms locations. While the original sign at La Cienega features letters that wash and flash, newer iterations include digital and freeway pennants, blending nostalgia with modern technology.

Norms La Cienega has also been a backdrop for significant moments in pop culture. It has appeared in TV shows such as Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and American Horror Story, films like Drag Me to Hell and Woman in Gold, and even in the autobiography of Graham Nash, who recalled breakfasting at Norms during the recording of Crosby, Stills & Nash’s debut album. The diner’s cultural significance was further cemented by Ed Ruscha’s painting “Norms La Cienega on Fire,” now part of the Getty Museum’s collection.

Despite its designation as a historic-cultural monument, the Cultural Heritage Commission’s authority is limited to preserving the physical elements outlined in the landmark designation, according to Esouteric’s Sec. The commission cannot dictate the type of business that operates within the property. However, preservationists emphasize that public opinion and community advocacy can play a key role in influencing Raising Cane’s corporate decisions.

The December 5 hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in Room 1010 at City Hall. Community members can attend in person, participate via Zoom or phone, or submit written comments to [email protected]. Written submissions should be titled “Item #4: NORM’S LA CIENEGA COFFEE SHOP, HCM #1090” and addressed to the Cultural Heritage Commissioners. The meeting agenda provides detailed instructions for participation.

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Tom
Tom
7 days ago

What Raising Cain heard was the “Cease and Desist” order from the estate of Ed Ruscha for co-opting, using, and changing his artwork so they could use it as a background image to the cheap PowerPoint presentation to the commission. They had no problem with gutting a cultural icon until that point- I guess art theft was a bridge to far.

Thanks to Alison Martino of Vintage LA for alerting the Ruscha people and putting the kibosh on the presentation.

David E
David E
6 days ago
Reply to  Tom

Well done Alison!

Robert Switzer
Robert Switzer
7 days ago

Cane’s change of heart, prompted by strong community pushback, doesn’t mean the future of Norms is secure. Cane’s holds the Norms lease. When it expires in 2027, there is no guarantee that the rent increase that Cane’s will undoubtedly demand will be an amount that Norms can afford to pay and still run a profitable business.

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Malibu boy
Malibu boy
11 days ago

Tearing down this magnificent “monument of the past” in and of itself is bad enough, but for a place known for its chicken fingers is an abomination. I know the place is good, but so our banquet frozen chicken nuggets. The people eating there aren’t exactly known for their discerning tastes. I think a Portillo’s would be perfect for West Hollywood. They have a great variety of foods all delicious. Surely they could change the signage.

Really...
Really...
8 days ago
Reply to  Malibu boy

Norm’s is located in the City of Los Angeles, not West Hollywood.

Last edited 8 days ago by Really...
C'mon Sense
C'mon Sense
7 days ago
Reply to  Malibu boy

One day, I hope, you will learn to appreciate what we already have and see no reason to change it.

Cassandra
Cassandra
12 days ago

These City Council members and their developer friends are destroying LA’s charm. With all the money grubbing and grabbing from these carpetbaggers, we’ll be living in a total dystopia by 2028 when they will all be gone with their profits deposited in offshore banks.

George
George
12 days ago

No, no, no!!!!! Not my Norma’s! Please say this is some misprint! I am a long time customer sometimes eating at my favorite restaurant once or twice a day. The price is right for good old fashioned meals seniors and youngsters can afford in these particularly hard times ON To Y going to woren with the horrific new administration. OMG! What am I going to do now?

Morty
Morty
15 days ago

OMG, this is terrible news. They are going to tear down Norms to build one of those tacky Raising Canes fried chicken finger restaurants? This is not Louisiana! What a ridiculous plan.

Kevin
Kevin
15 days ago

Sad to see a classic diner becomes a fast food place, but that’s progress….. Raising Canes has good food, but will destroy the interior to fit their model. Luckily they can’t do anything on the outside.

C'mon Sense
C'mon Sense
7 days ago
Reply to  Kevin

Actually this is not progress.

Mikie Friedman
Mikie Friedman
15 days ago

ALL GONE!…Hamburger Hamlet, Duke’s, Ed’s, Jan’s, French Market Place, Jerry’s Famous, IHOP, LeLe House, and on and on. And now Norm’s??
All comfy places (have I forgotten any?) replaced with $25 hamburgers, $6 cups of coffee, and $20 cocktails!
So sad for so many of us!

Gregg Mitchell
Gregg Mitchell
12 days ago
Reply to  Mikie Friedman

I would also add to the list: Yukon Mining Co. and Silver Spoon!

SeeMe
SeeMe
16 days ago

Aside from taking Norm’s away from a community that loves it, there is absolutely no way RAISING CANE will succeed. What kind of marketing researcher has told them West Hollywood is a place for this kind of fast-food? This is prime for Sunset/La Brea; otherwise, they are going to decimate an institution, fall on their faces and leave us with more urban blight when the building becomes vacant.

:dpb
:dpb
16 days ago

Noooooo… not only is Norm’s La Cienega a cultural and architectural landmark, it’s a damn good place to get diner food at a decent price. Stop taking our town apart. Leave some things behind for the residents to enjoy. Back off!

Jimmy
Jimmy
16 days ago

Oh please please please take away the one affordable place left! We need more places that we need to take s mortgage out to be able to eat. I hope they replace it with a bar that charges 22 for a drink and a bartender that believes they deserve a 50% tip. Yes, some triflin’ bartender actually posted that. What a shame.

Kevin
Kevin
15 days ago
Reply to  Jimmy

Raising Canes is even cheaper then Norms.

George
George
12 days ago
Reply to  Kevin

It won’t last. I hate there greasy fires & burgers I ate at “Raising Cane’s” and got terrible diarrhea!

C'mon Sense
C'mon Sense
7 days ago
Reply to  Kevin

Food cost is just one reason to keep Norms as it is.