Lawry S California Center

Lawry's California Center, a Los Angeles attraction for the past 30 years, will close on Jan. 3, yet another Southland culinary landmark to fall during the recent recession. Its cost-conscious owner, Thomas J. Lipton Co. of Englewood Cliffs, N.J., said Monday that the closure of the 17-acre site northeast of Dodger Stadium is part of a companywide consolidation.

Emerging from years of neglect and the threat of demolition, a northeast Los Angeles landmark--the former Lawry's California Center--will be reborn as a hub of environmental and educational activities, officials announced Thursday. The $8-million project will transform the complex's distinctive hacienda-style buildings and lush gardens into the Los Angeles River Center, a focal point of efforts to develop greenbelts, parks and other public facilities along the riverbed's industrialized corridor.

Emerging from years of neglect and the threat of demolition, a northeast Los Angeles landmark--the former Lawry's California Center--will be reborn as a hub of environmental and educational activities, officials announced Thursday. The $8-million project will transform the complex's distinctive hacienda-style buildings and lush gardens into the Los Angeles River Center, a focal point of efforts to develop greenbelts, parks and other public facilities along the riverbed's industrialized corridor.

The East Los Angeles Community Union has abandoned plans to develop housing on the former site of Lawry's California Center, bowing to strong community opposition. The union, known as TELACU, had proposed buying the 17-acre, $12.5-million property, which has been unoccupied for two years, and building 208 condominiums as well as movie theaters, shops, offices and restaurants.

Lawry's California Center, the landmark restaurant and former spice factory just north of downtown Los Angeles, will not close as originally planned and will remain open indefinitely, company officials said Friday. Last year, company officials had announced they would close the complex of Mexican restaurants and gift shops on Jan. 3.

The East Los Angeles Community Union has abandoned plans to develop housing on the former site of Lawry's California Center, bowing to strong community opposition. The union, known as TELACU, had proposed buying the 17-acre, $12.5-million property, which has been unoccupied for two years, and building 208 condominiums as well as movie theaters, shops, offices and restaurants.

Actress Marla Gibbs and County Supervisor Gloria Molina will receive awards Wednesday at the first Women's Day Luncheon of the Coalition for Women's Economic Development. The luncheon, beginning at 11:30 a.m., will be at Lawry's California Center, 570 W. Ave. 26, Los Angeles. Gibbs will receive the Entrepreneurial Leadership Award and Molina will receive the Women's Achievement Award. Information: (213) 489-4995.

Board members of the nascent Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture announced Wednesday that they have entered into negotiations to purchase the landmark Lawry's California Center as a permanent location for a planned museum of Latino culture. But the museum group still needs to raise $30 million for the acquisition and renovation of the 17-acre, Spanish-style restaurant, office building, factory and tourist complex in an industrial area north of downtown Los Angeles.

A plan to develop the Lawry's California Center that has been vacant for two years is facing stiff opposition from the community because the developer wants to build condominiums. The East Los Angeles Community Union, or TELACU, which is seeking to buy the property and develop movie theaters, shops, offices and restaurants, as well as 208 condominiums, has held three meetings for residents in the past two months to explain its plans and discuss the community's opposition.

Lawry's California Center, long a Los Angeles landmark, will close its restaurant, tours and gift-shop operations Saturday. More than 100 employees will be laid off, said general manager Diana Wymer. Lawry's corporate offices will remain at the site, 570 West Avenue 26. Thomas J. Lipton Inc., which owns the property, will also continue to run its western region sales and distribution there.

A plan to develop the Lawry's California Center that has been vacant for two years is facing stiff opposition from the community because the developer wants to build condominiums. The East Los Angeles Community Union, or TELACU, which is seeking to buy the property and develop movie theaters, shops, offices and restaurants, as well as 208 condominiums, has held three meetings for residents in the past two months to explain its plans and discuss the community's opposition.

Lawry's California Center, long a Los Angeles landmark, will close its restaurant, tours and gift-shop operations Saturday. More than 100 employees will be laid off, said general manager Diana Wymer. Lawry's corporate offices will remain at the site, 570 West Avenue 26. Thomas J. Lipton Inc., which owns the property, will also continue to run its western region sales and distribution there.

Lawry's California Center, the landmark restaurant and former spice factory just north of downtown Los Angeles, will not close as originally planned and will remain open indefinitely, company officials said Friday. Last year, company officials had announced they would close the complex of Mexican restaurants and gift shops on Jan. 3.

Lawry's California Center, a Los Angeles attraction for the past 30 years, will close on Jan. 3, yet another Southland culinary landmark to fall during the recent recession. Its cost-conscious owner, Thomas J. Lipton Co. of Englewood Cliffs, N.J., said Monday that the closure of the 17-acre site northeast of Dodger Stadium is part of a companywide consolidation.

Board members of the nascent Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture announced Wednesday that they have entered into negotiations to purchase the landmark Lawry's California Center as a permanent location for a planned museum of Latino culture. But the museum group still needs to raise $30 million for the acquisition and renovation of the 17-acre, Spanish-style restaurant, office building, factory and tourist complex in an industrial area north of downtown Los Angeles.

Actress Marla Gibbs and County Supervisor Gloria Molina will receive awards Wednesday at the first Women's Day Luncheon of the Coalition for Women's Economic Development. The luncheon, beginning at 11:30 a.m., will be at Lawry's California Center, 570 W. Ave. 26, Los Angeles. Gibbs will receive the Entrepreneurial Leadership Award and Molina will receive the Women's Achievement Award. Information: (213) 489-4995.