Henry's Tacos was set to serve its last taco Saturday at the corner of Moorpark Street and Tujunga Avenue in North Hollywood.
A last-minute deal to sell the stand fell apart this week, said Henry's Taco owner Janis Hood, who hopes to see the eatery open elsewhere.
"51 years," said Hood, blinking back tears on Saturday, standing outside the stand her grandfather helped build decades ago.
In the last few weeks, two local businessmen Matt Pyken and Steve Rose sought to buy the business.
But Hood said a number of contractual issues bothered her, including the sale price, causing her to pull out of the deal.
Instead, she plans to transfer ownership of her family's business to Omar Vega, a 21-year employee of Henry's Tacos.
"I just thought, 'Why not pay it forward?"' Hood said of her decision. Vegas will look for a new site for the stand, she said.
Henry's Taco was built by Hood's grandfather Henry Comstock in the early 1960s. It's been operated most recently by Hood, who ran into a dispute last year with landlord Mehran Ebrahimpour, who owns the property.
Hood nominated Henry's Tacos for historic landmark designation, hoping to preserve the stand's architectural legacy. She believes Ebrahimpouro objected to the landmark nomination because it could affect the property's sale or future development.
Amid the back and forth, Councilman Paul Krekorian, who represents the area, didn't push for the historic designation. Eventually the landmark nomination lapsed. Without historic protection, the classic Googie-style hut could face the wrecking ball.
The closure comes despite a high-profile campaign to save the restaurant. Celebrities like Elijah Wood and George Lopez have stopped by the stand to lend support, as did Los Angeles mayoral candidates such as Jan Perry. Thousands of people signed an online petition launched to save the stand.
Without historical designation, it's unclear what will happen to the hut. Hood said she'd heard Starbucks and Coffee Bean were interested in the site.
As news of Henry's Tacos closure spread, a line of customers quickly gathered on Saturday. Sisters Carrie Jager, 59, and Kathy Snow, 62, both grew up in North Hollywood, and both returned for one last trip.
Jager drove from her home in Bakersfield; Snow from her place in Agoura Hills.
"It was just part of our life," said Jager, eating a burrito. As a 17-year-old in high school, she spent a year working at Henry's Tacos.
"We spent a lot of time here," nodded Snow.
One side of the stand was covered in brown paper, allowing customers to scribble farewells to Henry's Tacos.
Wrote one fan: "So long and thanks for all the tacos!"
dakota.smith@dailynews.com
twitter.com/dakotacdsmith ___
(c)2013 the Daily News (Los Angeles)
Visit the Daily News (Los Angeles) at www.dailynews.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.