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Work to Revive Idle Hour Cafe Begins

The venue has been out of commission since the 1980s.

It might not look like much, but there's finally some action going down at the long-shuttered La Cana Restaurant and Idle Hour Cafe on Vineland Avenue.

Restaurateur Bobby Green bought the historic property last year and announced plans in the fall to restore the structure to its former glory.

Two weeks ago, a blue tarp was thrown atop the barrel-shaped building and a new fence was put up in front, but Green is staying mum on details of what's to come.

"Ask me in a couple weeks and we should have plans back from the city and some illustrations," he said in an e-mail.

Idle Hour Cafe opened in 1941 and was last in operation as La Cana Restaurant in 1984.

Green owns 1933 Group, which has Bigfoot Lodge and Hollywood's Sassafras under its belt.

Bob February 7, 2013 at 01:15 pm
This is awesome! I live right nearby and am glad to see something is going to finally happen with this deteriorated building. I'm glad to see that there is a slow revival of Vineland between Camarilo and Magnolia. I'm hoping its going to be a place to hang out, have a drink and relax. Thanks to Bobby Green for stepping up!
Bridget Wilson February 7, 2013 at 01:15 pm
How cool! Up-cycling a building in NoHo makes me happy.
Bob February 7, 2013 at 01:27 pm
I have one further comment. The only problem that I see, which hopefully they have considered, is the parking situation. There appears to be little or no parking except on the street and that may not be adequate especially since the parking on Vineland is metered. Trouble finding a parking place could turn people off.
george February 7, 2013 at 02:18 pm
I've never had trouble finding parking, and I am also happy to see this place restored. I'd heard rumors there was a woman living there for many years and I thought I saw someone in there once, but maybe it was just a ghost. Awesome news!
sheryl appleton February 7, 2013 at 02:22 pm
Just SOO EXCITED... it would be a treat and a treasure to have this historic builiding re-constructed and saved.. .if just for the rumors and memories that once happened here... this makes me smile.
J Thrasher February 7, 2013 at 02:30 pm
there is a small parking lot in back (for other businesses during the day) but it fills up quickly. Looking forward to this - I can walk there in <5 minutes :)
Craig Clough (Editor) February 7, 2013 at 03:11 pm
George, the former owner the the cafe, Dolores Fernandez, did live in the building for many years after it closed. See this LA Magazine article for more - http://www.lamag.com/citythink/askchris/2011/08/01/long-closed-la-cana-barrel-to-reopen-as-idle
Bob Peppermuller February 7, 2013 at 03:45 pm
About time! I was afraid the termites were going to get to it first.
sheryl appleton February 7, 2013 at 04:42 pm
Bridget, are you "our" Bridget? we miss you at GTLNC Planning if you are.. xxo
sheryl appleton February 7, 2013 at 04:47 pm
Bob... I think the termites have been holding hands to keep the structure up, but so glad they will save it, or the remnants of it, instead of destroying more of what little history we still have left here in NOHO.. i went to art school just a block or 2 away at Samsel Art School, and I dont know if those little bungalows are still there? another family owned biz... I'd love to hear the stories about the "old lady" in the barrel cafe . maybe they will have seances and Murder Mystery outings there (even though there was no murder).. would be a good "ghostly" place to do it, me thinks. "-) just daydreaming
Cary Adams February 7, 2013 at 08:27 pm
You're correct about Dolores Fernandez. My mother knew her and husband Jose, as flamenco dancers. I also met each a number of times when they were doing shows around L.A. Dolores opened La Cana for flamenco and we attended the first night of entertainment. However, for some reason it just didn't work and shortly closed. As for parking there's much across the street with big gaps in traffic on Vineland and enough time to walk. This is will great for the community.
Bob Peppermuller February 7, 2013 at 10:25 pm
Sheryl: Yes the bungalows are still there but a For Lease sign is on the front.
Here is one I bet you don't know about: The white colonial building on the SW corner of Vineland and Riverside. It is about 113 years old. It is the old Pacific Electric Interurban Railway (PE) power house that supplied power to the PE when it ran down where southbound Vineland is now from Chandler to Ventura Blvd. It is not a protected building like the Lankershim Station is.
Bob February 8, 2013 at 01:02 am
Thanks to all who have provided some of the history and fun facts about this new venture. I feel like there is a slow surge happening for NoHo and this is just one small part of it. There's much to do but it is happening and I'm excited, as an artist, to be living here to see it all take shape.

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