Molly's Charbroiled Burgers Serves Last Meals, Makes Way for Construction Project

The line in front of Molly’s Charbroiled Burgers on Vine Street ran past the entrance to the Montalban Theatre Thursday morning, stopping on Shirley Maclaine’s star on the Walk of Fame. The neighborhood eatery, which opened in 1929, was experiencing its final lunch hour rush. The patrons in line were a mix of young and old, varying in business slacks to jeans.

Tyson Smalley, a recent graduate of the Los Angeles Film School on Sunset Boulevard, has frequented Molly’s since he moved to the city two years ago.

“They should leave a place like this alone, since it has been opened since the '20s,” he said. “It’s a landmark now.”

The 20-stool hamburger stand was to vacate after developers planned a $57 million, eight-story office building on the site. Owner Kwok Yi gave her loyal customers a special deal: $3 for a choice of cheeseburger, chili cheeseburger or hamburger with fries and a drink.

She initially wanted to give meals away for free on the last day, but opted to hold a fundraiser for Social Services at Blessed Sacrament Church, said her son James Yi, 19.

“We want to give back,” he said. “Look at the line. She wants to give back to Hollywood because Hollywood has given her so much.”

His mother, who is known as “Kelly” by her friends, was not available for comment. She was in the kitchen, wearing a green polka dot apron and slinging hamburgers.

“She is trying to absorb as much Molly’s as she can,” he said. “My mom is really going to miss this place.”

Her older son, Jake Yi, 26, said he is trying to convince his mother to stop working.

 “My mom has worked very hard,” said Yi. “The restaurant put us through school.”

 “She needs time to rest,” he said.

Although the owner has no current plans to relocate her business, her two sons want her to retire.

Sonny Duron, the managing director of Social Services at Blessed Sacrament, said he was sad to see the restaurant go.

“This is an icon,” he said.

Duron said the organization provides meals, showers and case management services to Hollywood’s needy. The money raised Thursday will most likely go toward moving costs and clothing, he said.

At nearly 1 p.m., the line grew and steam from the grill drifted into the street. A few items on the menu board were marked "SOLD" including the barbecue rib plate, chicken sandwich combo plate and fried rice. 

New York transplant Jeff Winner said he has eaten at Molly’s since 1973. He named the hot dogs as a reason for returning. He wasn’t happy about the space becoming another high-rise.

“Everything you see has been built on the things that have been torn down,” he said. “I know it’s part of the Hollywood renovation project, but it’s a landmark.”