Big Boy, Big Preservationist Hero

(Pic by The Downey Patriot.)

The Downey Patriot reports (h/t to Metblogs L.A.) that Bob's Big Boy restaurants is one step closer to taking over the old Johnie's Broiler that mysteriously partially destroyed last year.

Writes the paper:

Johnie's Broiler property owner Christos Smyrniotis and representatives of Bob's Big Boy reached an agreement in principle last Friday in which Johnie's would be restored to a functional diner, complete with its 1950's Googie architecture and bustling weekend carhops.

The two sides are now waiting for the historical design firm of Chattel Architecture, Planning and Preservation, hired by the city to survey the property two weeks ago, to present its findings, Smyrniotis said.

"So far so good. We have agreed in principle and now we're waiting for the report to come back," Smyrniotis said. "It appears to me that [Bob's Big Boy] is very excited. It's only a matter of time."