With its lease expiring Saturday, Stox restaurant may close

Kevin Koops, manager who has been with Stox 38 years, serves long-time customers Audry Thibodeax (r) and her daughter Claudine (l). Thibodeaux says she is a 30-customer and laments that the restaurant may close if the lease is not renewed by the end of the month. Photo by Carol Kearns

DOWNEY – Changing times and economic turmoil may bring about the end of another landmark and cultural institution in Downey at the end of October if negotiations fail to renew the lease for Stox Restaurant Bakery and Bar.

The 64-year-old restaurant boasts historical, as well as architectural, significance. It opened at the corner of Imperial and Bellflower in 1962 as North American Aviation was expanding its role in the Apollo space program. Peak employment at the facility during the 1960s reached 25,000 and the plant was open 24/7—three shifts around the clock.

Added to the large workforce already on site were the engineers, scientists, test pilots and astronauts who came often to Downey from Houston, Florida, and Washington, D.C. With its nearby location and great food, Stox was the place to visit.

Gerald Blackburn, retired engineer who worked at North American for more than 35 years, described Stox as “another conference room for the plant. We came for a meal and continued our discussions. This was a watering hole for the aerospace crowd.”

Blackburn is a founding member and past president of the Aerospace Legacy Foundation, and currently a director of the Columbia Memorial Space Museum.

When the space industry eventually moved elsewhere, restaurant business did decline; but Stox restaurant and pie shop (with its separate mid-century cocktail lounge) continued serving devotees from Downey and surrounding areas for decades.

Business still bustles during Saturday breakfast and lunch—just not so much on other days. Customers can still enter the cocktail lounge, with its 1960’s ambience, from a separate outside door, and some still do.

Audry Thibodeaux from Paramount said she has been coming to Stox for 30 years and now comes three times a week.

“My family all know my schedule and where to find me,” says Thibodeaux. “We come for breakfast, and we come on Thursdays for dinner. The staff is so lovely. When we come on Thursday they have my drink waiting for me on the counter.”

Asked what brought her to the cocktail lounge on a Saturday afternoon, her daughter Claudine laughed and explained, we come here before going to Bingo at St. John Bosco.”

“And we love the cabbage rolls,” added her mother as manager Kevin Koops set down their order for the afternoon. Harry Fahnestock, the restaurant’s founder, was German, and cabbage rolls reflect his traditions.

Both mother and daughter lament that there isn’t another place like Stox.

“If Stox closes,” says Thibodeaux, “I don’t know where we’ll go on Saturdays. No other place is like this. I have a lot of pictures with family and friends taken in the parking lot.”

Koops, who has worked at Stox for 37 years, described the restaurant’s impact on his own life.

“I’ve made friends from here, made golfing buddies with people I met here. Some people have come to my son’s graduation. It’s like a family here,” he affirmed.

Koops said some staff members in the kitchen have been with the restaurant for 40 years and more. Armando Gutierrez, a waiter who enjoys the morning shift, says he has been with the restaurant 38 years.

“I like the atmosphere, the people, and the place,” he explains, “and the food is great.” Gutierrez says he will retire if lease negotiations fail and the restaurant has to close.

Elpidio Campos, busboy and all-around maintenance person, is proud of his 48 years with the restaurant. His current work schedule is two days a week. His positive feelings about the venue echo those of Koops and Gutierrez.

“I am so happy here,” he says, “I love the people, we serve good food, and I live close to work.” Campos has raised three sons in Norwalk, with one going on to CalState Long Beach and one going on to UC Irvine. His third son is still in high school.

Asked if he will retire if the restaurant closes, Campos answers, “I am already retired. I am healthy and strong; I have a house and a good family.”

Kathy Crowe Perez, president of the Downey Conservancy, described the Stox building as an authentic piece of mid-century diner/coffee shop that does not exist much anymore.

“The significance of Stox,” she explains, “is the combination of this iconic physical building also being a gathering place for individuals and celebrations.”

Stox employees who are proud of their decades of seniority: Armando Gutierrez, 38 years (left), and Elpidio Campos, 48 years. (Photo by Carol Kearns)

Perez also mused on the uniqueness today of having a separate cocktail lounge. Modern restaurant design usually includes a bar “area.” Stox’s cocktail lounge (formally named the Crystal Room) offers food from the same menu; but the lights are a little dimmer, the music a little softer, and it’s easier to converse with family and friends.

Charlotte Hansen, retired teacher who has lived most of her life in Downey, described gathering with fellow tennis players for a drink every Thursday night at the lounge after their games.

“Sometimes we stayed until 10 pm, just visiting and talking,” she explained. “Now I meet every Thursday morning with a friend for breakfast in the restaurant.”

Hansen remembers dates at the restaurant in 1964, and recounts that her husband and father-in-law, who were in construction together, sometimes ate there four times a week.

Both Perez and Blackburn hope that Stox will be able to renew its lease. Perez explains that the Conservancy tries to spotlight legacy businesses and works to foster appreciation and preservation of Downey landmarks.

“This is living history,” she says. “This is what makes Downey unique. The Conservancy wants to help people connect with the foundations that are part of Downey’s roots and have pride in their city.” Perez applauds Mayor Claudia Frometa’s posts on social media that highlight local businesses.

Blackburn also hopes the lease negotiations are successful.

“I want the world to know about Stox and its legacy and what it means,” he proclaims.

Saturday, October 31, is the final date of the current lease. At the time of this writing, it is not known if the restaurant will stay open, so patrons who want to visit one last time should do so this weekend.