KING CASE AFTERMATH: A CITY IN CRISIS : Curfew Closes Restaurants and Theaters

Many restaurants and theaters in the San Fernando Valley closed Friday because of a curfew imposed in the wake of citywide rioting, but owners of others decided to stay open, some saying they couldn’t afford to lose business.

Victoria Station in Universal City shut down at 4 p.m., and the Bistro Garden in Studio City and the Moonlight Tango Cafe in Sherman Oaks also closed their doors. Denny’s restaurant in Sylmar was closed by midafternoon.

Even pizza delivery services, including several Domino’s and Pizza Hut outlets in the San Fernando Valley, closed before dusk on Friday.

Callahans’ Lounge in Van Nuys, located near a liquor store that was looted Thursday night, closed at 6 p.m. Friday.

“My main concern is I don’t want to be here or have my employees here,” owner Glenna Mason said, adding that she expects to lose about $2,000 in gross receipts as a result of closing the cocktail lounge early three nights in a row. “We probably won’t have many customers anyway.”

L.A. Cabaret Comedy Club in Encino was closed Thursday and Friday night.

“It’s awful for us. It’s the first of the month, when our bills are due,” club owner Ray Bishop said. He estimated that he will lose $5,000 in gross receipts over the two-day closure.

Actress Susan Fassig stayed home in the mid-Wilshire district Friday night instead of performing in “The Person I Once Was” at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks.

“There was fire down the street from the theater today. We’re trying to observe the curfew and get everything back to normal,” Fassig said. “It’s so sad. The play is the last thing we’re concerned about.”

The biggest movie theater in the city, the 18-screen Cineplex Odeon at Universal City, will be closed in addition to other Cineplex Odeon movie theaters in greater Los Angeles until Monday, said Jody Bolstad, general manager of the Universal City theater.

But other restaurants and entertainment establishments decided to stay open.

“We’re getting a lot of calls. People just can’t take it anymore. They don’t feel as threatened in this area. It’s a different scene than Hollywood,” said Diana Shaffer, co-owner of Le Cafe restaurant in Sherman Oaks. “We canceled our jazz club, but we’re staying open because business is bad enough without this. This is the topper. Thank goodness it’s not on Mother’s Day weekend.”

Jerry’s Famous Deli in Studio City stayed open Friday, which drew criticism from one local resident. Its Encino location also remained open on Friday.

“It just doesn’t seem right,” said Polly Ward, vice president of the Studio City Residents Assn. “I have a problem with people coming in freely and driving the boulevard.”

Music establishments such as the Palomino and FM Station, both in North Hollywood, stayed open Friday night.

“Everybody has been calling, asking if we’re going to be open. They’re real happy because it will give them something to do,” said Toy Canto, booking secretary for the FM Station. “We’ve upped the security a bit and will be expediting people in and out.”