The Rise of Jewelry District and Restoration
The influx of jewelry stores in the area did not come about until after the 1960s when gold became in demand for investments rather than holding on to their dollars. Before this surge, the California Jewelry Mart dominated the local industry with its establishment on S. 607 Hill Street. The district became even more popular with the opening of Saint Vincent Jewelry Center, which is still housed in a large 1923 building complex with a european-inspired alley of restaurants. Across the street from St. Vincent’s is the State Theater Building, a twelve-story red brick office building and theater, designed by Charles Peter Weeks and William Day in 1921. Right across Loew’s Theatre was another office building which accommodated a drug store in the early 20th century. Behind Loews, along 7th street, is the Speckels building – an office building turned garment manufacturing center – and the Provident Loan Association, a not-for-profit organization that provided short term loans for gold and jewelry. It was the last remaining of the many not-for-profit loan societies of the late 19th and early 20th century. Another building on 728 S. Hill Street is the Jasper building, a 14-story office Italianate building built in 1928, which was converted to accommodate another jewelry manufacturing center. One particular historic site in process of restoration is Clifton’s Cafeteria on 648 South Broadway, whose original 1904 façade has been restored after 50 years of a grate-like, modern aluminum covering. This 1963 remodeling effort was an attempt to compete with the newer restaurants in the city suburbs. It was once home to Boos Brothers Cafeteria until Clifton purchased the lease in 1935.
Read more about this topic: Jewelry District (Los Angeles)
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—Erica Bouza, U.S. jewelry designer and social activist. As quoted in The Great Divide, book 2, section 7, by Studs Terkel (1988)
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