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Cafe Starlings applies for beer and wine license at former Overland Cafe site

Cafe Starlings applies for beer and wine license at former Overland Cafe site

Rule Changes Los Angeles, CA local

New concept from Overland Hospitality seeks to serve alcohol with food at a Palms address that housed a 50-year-old restaurant

Today: ABC license application listed

Overview

Updated 42 minutes ago

California ABC records show Cafe Starlings, a new concept from Overland Hospitality Inc., has applied for a type 41 on-sale beer and wine license at 3601 Overland Avenue in Los Angeles. The address previously housed Overland Cafe, which closed in 2023 after more than 50 years in business.

The application, first listed on the state's licensing report on October 10, 2026, is still pending. Overland Hospitality, led by Johnnie Jenkins, has submitted plans to the city planning department for an 875-square-foot cafe in the space.

Why it matters

The license decision will determine whether a new cafe can sell beer and wine with food at a site that anchored Palms dining for half a century.

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Key Indicators

50+
Years Overland Cafe operated before closure
The long-running restaurant closed in 2023 after more than five decades.
875
Square feet of planned cafe
Cafe Starlings will occupy an 875-square-foot space at the address.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

August 2023 October 2026

3 events Latest: Today
  1. ABC license application listed

    Today Regulatory

    California ABC records show Cafe Starlings applied for a type 41 beer and wine license; status: applied, not issued.

  2. Cafe Starlings signage appears

    Development

    Signs for the new cafe go up at the former Overland Cafe location, signaling construction progress.

  3. Overland Cafe closes after 50 years

    Closure

    Longtime Palms eatery shuts down following the death of owner Mark Sands.

Scenarios

1

Cafe Starlings gets beer and wine license from California ABC

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Standard regulatory process; approval likely if the application meets state criteria

The ABC typically issues type 41 licenses to restaurants that comply with local zoning and alcohol service rules. If Overland Hospitality's application is complete and no local opposition emerges, the license could be granted within months.

2

ABC denies Cafe Starlings' license application

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Possible if zoning or background checks fail; no public opposition reported yet

If the ABC finds the application incomplete, the premises unsuitable, or the applicant ineligible, it can deny the license. Denials are rare for straightforward restaurant applications but happen when local ordinances or public safety issues arise.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2020

Pacific Dining Car closure (2020)

Pacific Dining Car, a 99-year-old Los Angeles steakhouse that operated 24/7 and served celebrities and politicians, closed its doors in 2020 due to pandemic-related losses and financial strain.

Then

The restaurant shut down after a final service, leaving a landmark building empty.

Now

The site has since been considered for redevelopment, reflecting the fragility of long-established eateries.

Why this matters now

Like Overland Cafe, Pacific Dining Car closed after decades and left a neighborhood anchor empty, illustrating how even beloved institutions can give way to new concepts.

1980

Brown Derby closure (1980)

The Brown Derby, a famous Hollywood restaurant known for its celebrity clientele and Cobb salad, closed its original Wilshire Boulevard location after 50 years, later to be demolished for redevelopment.

Then

The landmark building was sold and eventually demolished, ending a Hollywood dining era.

Now

Its loss became a symbol of how quickly cultural institutions can vanish when ownership changes or real estate values rise.

Why this matters now

The Brown Derby's closure illustrates the larger pattern of long-standing Los Angeles restaurants being replaced by new businesses as neighborhoods evolve, a dynamic now playing out at the Overland Cafe site.

Sources

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