RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL

Historical Reaction: El Pollo Loco, which has its headquarters in Irvine, has won applause from historical groups for helping save a landmark building in East Los Angeles.

The old Federal Bank Building on North Broadway had been scheduled for demolition in the late 1980s to make way for a mini-mall. But local community groups including the Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce helped save the building by having it designated as a historic site.

El Pollo Loco franchisees Juan and Rene Corona, who grew up in the Lincoln Heights area, modified the building to make it suitable for a restaurant. But the franchisees were able to keep the building’s Italian Renaissance architecture.

The Corona family was recognized Wednesday with a Los Angeles Conservancy Preservation award.