James Moody pulled into the parking lot at 5920 W. Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood late Tuesday morning to reminisce and snap a few photographs.
His destination wasn’t one of Hollywood’s typical tourist attractions, like a famous theater or a star on the Walk of Fame, but rather a large neon sign that many consider to be historic.
Over the weekend, the owners of the Hollywood Arby’s franchise abruptly closed the 55-year-old fast food restaurant, citing financial difficulties that began during the pandemic.
Since 1969, the cowboy hat-shaped sign has welcomed diners and drivers, promising “delicious” roast beef sandwiches (among other items). Now, instead of advertising meal deals, the red and black changeable letters read, “Farewell Hollywood. TY for 55 great years.”
“I’ve been coming here since 1985 when I first moved to Los Angeles,” Moody reflected. “It’s sad to see it go.”
Situated between two historic film studios, Sunset Bronson and Sunset Gower, and within blocks of many other entertainment industry fixtures, this particular Arby’s also served countless celebrities over the decades.
“Jerry Seinfeld came through with his Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee show a couple of years ago,” recalled Debby Husch, daughter of franchise owner Marilyn Leviton, who is now 91. “Brad Pitt, Lawrence Fishburn, and Tom Felton have been spotted in the drive-thru. Dean Winters, Tim Allen, David Harbour and Chrissy Metz have come inside, among others. And that’s just the last few years!”
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel was also a fan.
Just last month, Kimmel included the Arby’s in a comedy bit involving his family and fellow television host and friend Jon Stewart. The segment ended with Stewart getting dropped off at the restaurant and later showing up with a bag of food at Kimmel’s live studio taping.
As news of its closure has spread, dozens of people are now stopping by the boarded-up building for what they see as one last chance to photograph the iconic sign.
But while the restaurant may be closed permanently, fans can be assured that the sign will remain—for now.
“We have a vested interest in making sure the community is happy with what we do with the property, including the sign,” Blake Megdal, whose investment firm owns the building and land, told KTLA 5 News. “As a native Angeleno, it’s important to me.”
Megdal would not reveal any future plans for the property, saying only that the sign will not be dismantled.
Los Angeles has listed the Arby’s sign as potentially historic and eligible to become a local landmark. The city’s online registry calls it an “excellent example of 1960s commercial signage; exhibits distinctive design features that evince the commercial ethos of the era, including eye-catching forms and neon illumination.”
In fact, Husch says The Museum of Neon Arts in Glendale, which hosts a wide variety of brilliant signs, has been in contact with her family in case its future is in doubt.
It seems the likelihood of the giant cowboy hat ending up in a junkyard or dumpster somewhere, thankfully, appears to be slim to none.
For now, the family plans to keep the sign illuminated for the next few days as they near the end of their lease.
“There’s been such an outpouring of love for the restaurant and especially our neon sign, so we’re going to turn it on and let people come by and get some pictures with it,” said Gary Husch, Debby’s husband and the restaurant’s now former general manager. “The response has been incredible and really unexpected.”