Former Mayor Riordan to Close Two Pacific Palisades Restaurants

Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan will shutter his two Pacific Palisades restaurants, The Oak Room and The Village Pantry, at the end of January. Riordan operates the two eateries, both on Swarthmore Avenue, in partnership with his daughter. Riordan also owns The Original Pantry Cafe and Riordan's Tavern in downtown L.A. as well as Gladstone's in Malibu.

Pacific Palisades Patch has the details: Although Riordan negotiated a rent reduction with the landlords approximately 18 months ago, it wasn't enough to keep the restaurants in business. In recent years, Swarthmore has seen frequent turnover among its storefronts, worrying city councilman Bill Rosendahl, who represents the area.

As Patch notes:

"Many residents, like their councilman Rosendahl, are concerned that Swarthmore could go the way of Hancock Park's Larchmont Boulevard, which went from being a street of distinctive local shops, specialty groceries and service businesses to a district of chain stores and restaurants."