Exclusive: Johnny Rockets, the last standing icon of the amazing 80’s era along Melrose Avenue has closed it’s original spot for good — Melrose Action has learned.
According to sources, employees were told early Monday Morning (October 26th) that the decision had been made to shutter the international chain’s very first store.
Crews removed all signage and employees were apparently offered positions at corporate locations that will remain open (Beverly Connection location is a franchise location).
Sources also say that Johnny Rockets could not come to “acceptable terms” with the property owner on a new lease and was faced with a hefty increase in rent.
The term “world famous” definitely applies when mentioning Johnny Rockets on Melrose as it lasted nearly 30 years at the corner of Melrose and Gardner where it opened on June 6th, 1986.
The corner of Melrose and Gardner is going through some big changes as a previously announced CVS Pharmacy store plans to open across the street while a brand new restaurant called “Spartina” opens soon next to Johnny Rockets.
Factoid from it’s website..
Ronn Teitelbaum, an award-winning men’s fashion retailer, launched the first Johnny Rockets on June 6, 1986, on Melrose Avenue, in Los Angeles, California. He founded the concept on the belief that everyone deserves a place where they can escape from today’s complicated world and experience the uncomplicated goodness of classic Americana. The name originated by combining the timeless Johnny Appleseed story with the classic Oldsmobile Rocket 88. Together, they embody the concept of classic Americana and the promise of the future. Johnny Rockets operates more than 340 franchise and corporate locations in 26 countries around the world.
