Clifton’s Cafeteria, once part of a chain of Clifton’s restaurants, is the oldest surviving cafeteria style eatery in Los Angeles, California, and the largest public cafeteria in the world. Founded in 1931 by Clifford Clinton, the name was created by combining the first half of “Clifford” and the last half of “Clinton” to produce the name “Clifton’s”. The design of the restaurants included exotic decor and facades that were “kitschy and theatrical”.

The second Clifton’s facility opened in 1935. In 1939 its name was changed to “Clifton’s Brookdale”, and as the sole survivor of the multiple branches over 79 years, it is now known as “Clifton’s Cafeteria” or more familiarly simply as “Clifton’s”. Located at Broadway and 7th near Los Angeles’ downtown theater district, it has remained in operation for 74 years.

The restaurant chain was noted for each facility having its own theme, and for helping out those who could not afford to pay. This approach to business reflected the owner’s Christian ethos—he never turned anyone away hungry and maintained a precedent set by the first restaurant on Olive Street, known as “Clifton’s Golden Rule”.

In 1946, Clifford and his wife Nelda sold their cafeteria interests to their three younger Clinton children, and retired in order devote their attentions to a Meals for Millions, a non-profit charitable organization he founded in the wake of World War II to distribute food to millions of starving and malnourished people throughout the world.

He was taking over a business run for generations by one family, neighborhood favorites who never turned away a penniless customer.

It’s now clear that there will be many changes to Clifton’s: it will soon serve alcohol in a few differently-themed bars within the building, and one floor will be occupied by an upscale restaurant. Even the offerings at the ground-floor cafeteria will change: smaller portions, better ingredients, is the idea.

But the historical decor will be kept intact wherever possible, and it looks like it will even be treated with greater respect by Meieran than by the previous owners. To that end, on Wednesday morning Meieran unveiled the original facade of the building, covered for more than 50 years by metal grating. Contrary to some previous reports elsewhere, it has not yet been fully refurbished. But one can see the promise there — the promise of what’s to come, and what will be maintained. Check out the photos below of the scene at this morning’s ceremony. Are you excited for the new and improved Clifton’s?