What’s going on at Walker’s Cafe?
In March 2022, Walker’s Cafe was purchased in an off-market transaction by a Burbank-based investment group named Prospect Group, who specialize in fixing and flipping residential properties. In August 2022, Walker’s Cafe became an LA Historic-Cultural Monument as a result of a major grassroots community effort and a petition signed by more than three thousand people. After buying the property, Prospect Group told local media and Friends of Walker’s Cafe that they intended to “restore it to its heyday” as they had the “resources and expertise” to make this happen, and that they had “no plans” to develop the parcel residentially.

However, their plans subsequently changed. They now want to build a massive, 3,500+ sqf, two-story residential development with a separate Accessory Dwelling Unit and garage right behind Walker’s Cafe, leaving less than 14 feet between the cafe and this large new building. (To compare, the houses on either side of the property are single-family homes just under 2,000 sqf. Walker’s itself is around 750 sqf.)

What are the concerns about the current plans for the Walker’s Cafe site?
The developer seems to be prioritizing maximum return on the proposed real estate development in the back of the parcel, with no concern for what it would take for Walker’s Cafe to be viable as an operational business. The cafe is being painted into a corner. As currently proposed, their plans would mean the death of Walker’s Cafe.

The developer has also refused to meet with interested cafe operators. Given their track record, we’re concerned that Prospect Group may actually be more interested in getting permits for a large oceanside house so they can flip the lot for a big profit while Walker’s stays shuttered.

Did Prospect Cafe engage in unpermitted work onsite?
Yes. They engaged at length in unpermitted work between May and August 2022. In late May, we set up a meeting between them and City officials to get everyone on the same page. It was explained to them at this meeting and in subsequent emails that no work was to be done without permits. They continued to work and cover up work. Even after a Building and Safety inspector issued a “Stop Work” order, they continued daily work onsite for weeks.

They later claimed they were completing emergency repairs, but footage shot through the fence by various concerned community members revealed this to be untrue. And even emergency repairs need to be run by the City, especially at a historic site where there might be hazardous substances like asbestos, endangering construction workers, neighbors and the families who gather in Point Fermin Park. (This email from LADBS Inspector Paul Becker sums up the situation.)

But doesn’t Walker’s Cafe have historic landmark status that protects it?
Yes. While Historic-Cultural Monument status comes with a range of protections and benefits, it does not oblige the owners to reopen the business itself. From the start of the Save Walker’s Cafe campaign, the community’s ask has been not just for Walker’s Cafe to receive historic designation, but for it to be brought back to life under new ownership. Landmark status doesn’t guarantee that. But City Planning can make it an official requirement. Join us in the email campaign to ask for this crucial condition.

I heard it’s impossible or prohibitively expensive to bring landmarked buildings up to code.
That’s not true at all. Landmark status protects the building’s “character-defining features,” or the iconic qualities that make it so special. It doesn’t mean that the building is trapped in amber, or that it must have the clock turned back to when it was new. There is actually a lot more leeway for out-of-the-box solutions regarding ADA compliance etc. for historical properties than for newer buildings. There are many historic buildings that have thriving businesses in them. It’s feasible, viable and affordable. For more information, see this article.

Why did Walker’s Cafe close back in 2021?
Walker’s Cafe was owned by the grandchildren of its original founder, Bessie Mae Petersen. They live hundreds of miles away and had a local manager running the cafe until October 2021, when it was shuttered without notice. Bessie’s descendants stated at the first landmarking hearing in January 2022 that, due to personal circumstances, they were no longer able to continue oversight of the cafe (recording of hearing). It was not because the business was unsuccessful or no longer viable.

If you have a question that isn’t in this FAQ, please let us know. We’re here to answer as many questions as we’re able to. We hope you’ll be part of the community effort to bring this treasured business back to San Pedro.