Clifton's Cafeteria

Biography

Clifton's Cafeteria was opened at its first location in Los Angeles in 1931 by Clifford E. Clinton (b. Aug. 1900; d. Nov. 1969), a member of the Clinton family of restauranteurs (now spanning many generations). Clinton moved the cafeteria to Broadway in 1935 and, though a few more satellite cafeterias were opened in later years, the Broadway location has remained in business ever since that time. Nearly from the outset, Clinton began distributing these sheets of inspirational thoughts, poetry, short prose pieces and a calendar of upcoming Los Angeles events for his customers. After a slightly irregular start, the circulars began to be issued weekly in 1932; that frequency was retained for nearly 40 years, changing to monthly only in May of 1971, just a few years after Clinton's death. The final issue came out in October, 1995, with a note from its editor, Esther York Burkholder: "Over the years it has been a privilege and a pleasure to share with you bits of wisdom and beauty and humor from the pens of many writers. ... Until, and if, we eventually resume publication, dear readers, you have our best wishes always". Throughout the run, the circulars were printed on just one sheet, usually folded in half (lengthwise) to make 4 pages. Up until 1967, the cafeteria's motto ("A tra-ful for a tri-ful") always appeared somewhere near the title; from 1967-1995 the motto changed ("Food for the soul is important too"), and began appearing regularly below the title.

From the guide to the Clifton's Cafeteria collection of Circulars, 1931-1995, (University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.)