Looking northeast across Wilshire Boulevard, showing the headquarters and restaurant for the Carnation Company, as well as the headquarters for Imperial Savings & Loan Association (background, right). The 9-story Carnation Company Building, located at 5045 Wilshire Boulevard and built in 1949. In 1989 Carnation Company moved its headquarters to Glendale. The orginal building was extensively remodeled and doubled in size. (Marlene Laskey Collection; Los Angeles Public Library)
What about the coffee shop? Did it remain on Wilshire or move to Glendale?
No. I don’t think so. My Dad would take us to the Carnation restaurant and we would all get their fabulous clam chowder. It was served in a small black cauldron with a small loaf of white or wheat bread on a wooden board. I just loved that clam chowder! I wish they hadn’t closed. Or at least I wish that I could get the recipe.
I loved that restaurant and wish more places like it still existed. I graduated high school in 1990 and I remember my senior year we would often go there after our school plays so it was at least open through May / June, 1990 I believe. It’s been a long time but seems like they closed down not long after this time period of my life. I remember feeling really sad because of great memories of hanging with my classmates during our senior year. (and it was a cool place too) Thankfully LA still has some cool retro places kind of like Carnations. We gotta keep them going! Part of what makes Los Angeles such a cool and iconic city.