Hollywood Arby's shutters doors after more than 5 decades in business following minimum Wage Hike

The Arby’s restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, famous for its enormous, neon-clad hat sign, has shuttered its doors after 55 years. Its last day of operation came earlier this year.

On a Monday, at the back of the lot, Gary Husch — general manager of the Arby’s and son-in-law of its original owner — was carting out trash and caught a reporter staring at the bones of the drive-through menu.

The menu was already a polyptych of long, fluorescent tubes. The Arby’s marquee, sprawled with advertisements for the chain’s affordable, slow-roasted beef sandwiches a few days ago, now reads: “Farewell Hollywood. TY for 55 great years.”

“You know, they’re not making those signs anymore,” Husch said. “It was the 150th Arby’s location ever opened.”

Since its opening in January 1969, the Hollywood Arby’s has had a single owner, Marilyn Leviton, who is 91 years old and Husch’s mother-in-law.

Husch said that the Arby’s was simply no longer sustainable. He pointed to a combination of pandemic fallout in a changing neighborhood, rising food costs and the recent law that raised the minimum wage of fast-food workers in California.

“The customer count has gone down over the last few years. A lot of the offices around this area are empty now, and we’re just not getting the same foot traffic we did before,” Husch said. “With inflation, food costs have gone way up and the $20-an-hour minimum wage has been the nail in the coffin.”

Leviton was active in the business till the very end, he added.

“Truth is, I think it was the pandemic that did us in,” she told KTLA News recently. “I really feel we would have closed during the pandemic [if it weren’t] for the federal loans.”

California’s new law that creates a separate minimum wage applicable only to fast food restaurant employees took effect on April 1, 2024. Under Labor Code Section 1475 (LC 1475), this minimum wage is $20 per hour. It represents a significant increase from the current statewide minimum wage of $16 that went into effect at the beginning of the year. Many local jurisdictions within the state already have a minimum wage above $16 per hour, but none as high as $20 per hour.

What do you think? Did the owners of the restaurant close it down because of expenses OR do you think they didn't want to pay the hard workers that extra coin?

Hollywood Wake Up Call: Success Is Not Success

 

Success in Hollywood and the entertainment industry can often be perceived as superficial or temporary due to various factors:

• 1. **Subjectivity of Success**: Success can mean different things to different people. For some, it might be box office numbers, while for others, it might be critical acclaim or longevity in the industry.

• 2. **High Competition**: The entertainment industry is highly competitive, with many talented individuals vying for the same opportunities. Achieving success can feel fleeting when new talents continuously emerge.

• 3. **Public Scrutiny**: Celebrities often face intense scrutiny from the media and the public, which can undermine their achievements. A successful project can quickly be overshadowed by negative press or personal controversies.

• 4. **Changing Trends**: The entertainment landscape is constantly evolving. What is popular or successful today may not resonate tomorrow, leading to a lack of sustained success.

• 5. **Mental Health Struggles**: Many successful individuals in the industry struggle with mental health issues, which can challenge their perception of success and fulfillment.

• 6. **Behind-the-Scenes Dynamics**: Success often involves collaboration, and many behind-the-scenes contributors may not receive recognition, leading to a skewed perception of who achieves success.

• 7. **Commercial vs. Artistic Success**: There can be a divide between commercial success (box office hits) and artistic success (critically acclaimed works). This dichotomy can complicate the narrative of what it means to be truly successful.

In essence, while outwardly glamorous, success in Hollywood is often complex and layered, making it feel less authentic or sustainable.

Warner Bros. Discovery is Shutting Down Boomerang Streaming Service

Warner Bros. Discovery is shutting down its Boomerang subscription streaming service in September, shifting most of the service's classic animated content to Max.

After a million plus downloads of the app, one of the cheapest and most affordable streaming apps created is getting the axe hammered down on them by the powers that be.

WBD, in an email sent Thursday to Boomerang consumers, confirmed the shutdown of the service's app and website as of September 30. The Boomerang streaming service, which launched in 2017 and retailed at $39.99 per year, offers classic animation from the Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros. catalog,  as well as other family-friendly programming.

Here’s the text from the official email:

“We’re reaching out to let you know that Boomerang will be moving to Max, and as of September 30th, the Boomerang app and website will no longer be available. The exciting news is that your Boomerang subscription will automatically transfer to Max (Ad-Free) with no change to your subscription price until further notice!  

Here’s what you need to know:

• Logging In: Starting September 30th, you can log in to Max using your Boomerang email and password.
• Kids Profile: We’ll have a Kids Profile set up in your account, allowing you to set parental controls and ratings restrictions.
• Max Content: On Max, enjoy loads of Boomerang fan-favorites with Scooby, Bugs Bunny, Tom & Jerry and more! While some Boomerang content may not be available, you’ll have access to Max’s full catalog of iconic series, hit movies, fresh originals, breaking news, and family favorites including The Amazing World of Gumball, Teen Titans Go!, Lego Batman and more.
• Billing: Throughout September, we’ll be transitioning your billing from Boomerang to Max.”

The biggest question now is how much of Boomerang’s content will actually transfer over to MAX. Observant fans will notice that some content has been disappearing from the Boomerang app over the last couple of years. For instance, the early 70’s Josie and the Pussy Cats cartoon was removed from “Boomerang” within the last year. Several Boomerang shows are already on the “MAX” service, but not all of them. Will the majority of programs provided through the service transfer over to the MAX service on October 1st, or just simply disappear?

Current Boomerang subscribers will not experience any price increase, as their subscriptions will be automatically converted to Max ad-free plans at the same cost. Additionally, subscribers will be able to use their existing Boomerang login credentials to access Max seamlessly.

This move reflects Warner Bros. Discovery’s ongoing efforts to streamline its streaming offerings and provide a more comprehensive viewing experience for its subscribers. The integration of Boomerang content into Max will expand the platform’s library of classic cartoons and family-friendly programming, making it a more attractive destination for animation enthusiasts of all ages. Ensuring that the legacy of classic animation continues to thrive.