Wave Wire Services
HOLLYWOOD — Pink’s Hot Dogs reopened March 1 after being closed for nearly two months due to the increase in coronavirus cases in the region.
“One more sleep! Pink’s will be re-re-opening tomorrow morning at 9:30 am! We can’t wait to be back. Stop by and say HELLO!” Pink’s announced via Twitter the nigth before it reopened.
The stand on La Brea Avenue near Melrose Avenue closed at the conclusion of business Jan. 3 “in order to keep our patrons and staff safe from the current Covid surge,” Pink’s announced in January.
The legendary spot in Hollywood has been serving customers since 1939.
It was founded by Paul and Betty Pink, who originally operated a pushcart that they bought for $50 on a piece of sidewalk they leased for $15 a month. At the time, all they sold was hot dogs, 10 cents, and cokes, five cents.
When the landlord increased the rent to $25 a month in 1941, the Pinks, with help from the Bank of America, took out a $4,000 loan and bought the property, allowing them to build a cover over the pushcart and add hamburgers to the menu.
In 1946, the Pinks built the stand where Pink’s continues to operate and added a floral shop next door.
The stand opened with four employees; the staff now numbers 30.
Paul and Betty Pink retired in 1985, turning over operations to their children, Richard and Beverly, with Richard’s wife Gloria also assuming a role.
Since then, Pick’s has added 35 hot dogs to the menu and a dozen different hamburgers.
As the Pink’s name grew, large restaurant operators came to the family wanting to license the name and products in various amusement parks, hotels, arenas and county fairs. Pink’s now has 15 locations including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Ohio, Connecticut, New York, Miami, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Hawaii and the Philippines and also has an active catering business.
There also is a Pink’s at Universal Studios Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport and at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona.
The hot dog stand also is known for its celebrity wall of fame, which has photos of more than 200 celebrities who have enjoyed a hot dog or hamburger at Pink’s.
The wall started as a place for aspiring actors to hang their photos to be discovered by producers and directors who were known to dine at Pink’s. Today, Pink’s dining room is filled with over 200 photos of celebrities with signed endorsements of their enjoyment of Pinks Hot Dogs.
