First Fatburger faces demolition

[Johnny_L.A]

Fatburger was founded by African-Americans at 31st and Western in South L.A. (Link.)

Fatburger was founded in 1952 in Los Angeles by African-Americans Lovey Yancey and Charles Simpson. According to company lore, their friends so enjoyed the hamburgers Yancey served them in her kitchen, often during the course of late-night jam sessions, that they encouraged her to open her own hamburger stand. She and Simpson decided to go into business together, and, despite a lack of money, they worked out a rudimentary business plan. They coined “Mr. Fatburger” as the name of the restaurant, determined the menu, and found a site at 31st Street and Western Avenue in Los Angeles. Simpson was then able to construct the first building at no cost. He worked for Martin Sheavy Construction Company, whose owner made a habit of dividing leftover building materials with his crews after a job was completed. With these materials and the free labor of his co-workers, Simpson was able to construct the first stand after working hours. When this walk-up restaurant, offering just three stools, opened, Yancey and a helper worked the day shift, while Simpson, after a day of working construction, with the help of his sister, Josie, took the night shift.

I just heard on the local news that the lot on which the building sits is for sale (asking price: Four megabucks.) I don’t know when that location was closed, but it looks nothing like the Fatburgers I’ve been to. It must have been closed a long time. Now that it faces destruction, there is interest in saving it. The reporter said that some people may lobby to whomever buys the property to re-open the Fatburger.

That would be nice. Were it to re-open, I’d go there.