Diners hoping for a nostalgic experience at the famed Musso & Frank Grill are instead confronted with a rising homelessness issue and litter scattered around the restaurant’s entrance.
Images captured show several individuals sitting on discarded sofas on the street, a sight that has become increasingly common along the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Since the pandemic, the homelessness crisis has intensified, transforming once-familiar corridors and leading to the permanent closure of many local shops.
Established in 1919, Musso & Frank is one of the rare establishments that offers visitors a glimpse of Hollywood’s historical allure.
But restoring that charm is becoming a struggle, with tents and garbage now populating the very streets where some of television’s most renowned figures walk.
The historic steakhouse has weathered the Great Depression, world wars, and even COVID-19, but the current decline in tourism may pose its biggest challenge so far.
A report from Visit California indicates international travel to the state has decreased by roughly 8% compared to the previous year, and many business owners believe Hollywood has been hit particularly hard.
Vendors and tour guides report experiencing negative feedback from first-time visitors, who often rethink their choice to come, indicating a significant shift in public perception.
Robert Daniel Fernandez, who creates customized stars for the Walk of Fame, mentioned that after strolling down Hollywood Boulevard, tourists frequently express disappointment.
Fernandez estimates that tourism has dropped nearly 50% from pre-pandemic numbers, yet he notes a slight uptick in visitors due to the recent World Cup.
Residents echo concerns that city officials are neglecting the aging infrastructure of Hollywood. As Dylan Kendall, a local of 30 years, put it: “Some would argue this is one of the great shames of our country. We all collectively accepted that it was never good. It could never be good.”
While Musso & Frank may evoke the spirit of old Hollywood, outside, there is a growing worry that the iconic avenue that once defined the area is gradually losing its magic.
