Inside the Formosa
In 1925, ex-prizefighter Jimmy Bernstein re-purposed an old red trolley car into a lunch counter, opening the Red Spot across from the bustling United Artists Studio in West Hollywood. The place was a success and he added on a kitchen, dining room and bar. The establishment’s name changed to the Formosa Café in 1939. The café closed in 2016 following an unpopular redesign. The 1933 Group restored the interior and reopened the Formosa in 2019. Boxes of autographed celebrity photos and storage units of original memorabilia have made their way back into the Café. Three photographers contributing to the SoCal Landmarks project were given early-hours access to document the historic Formosa Café inside and out in early February 2022. We want to thank the 1933 Group, particularly Bobby, Lisa and Matt for facilitating this incredible opportunity.
West Hollywood, Los Angeles County
Photographers: John Bare, Al Russell, Andrew Schmidt