Henry's Tacos announces it will close this month

I was surprised to see signs outside Henry'sTacos on Saturday announcing that the Valley favorite would close soon. "Lost our lease!! Henry's closing end of Dec. More info to follow," reads one of the signs posted at Tujunga Avenue and Moorpark Street. The city's Cultural Heritage Commission voted 5-0 last year to designate the Henry's building as a historic-cultural monument, but the designation was never acted upon by the City Council, according to the blog AngelCityArt Los Angeles. A new lease deal then between the landlord and the owner of the Henry's business included a steep rent increase.

Owner Janis Hood posts on the Henry's Tacos Facebook group that the landlord rejected her recent attempts to sell the business.

I am very sorry to have to announce to everyone that it looks like Henry's will be closing for good on December 31. As some of you know, Henry's is just too much for me as a single, childless woman approaching 60 with no family within 1700 miles. I have had several prospective buyers committed to continuing the tradition, but all have been turned down by the landlord. The current prospective buyers have agreed to all the landlord's terms, but he has ceased communicating with them. Therefore, I have given my notice and it has been accepted by the landlord.

I believe this all goes back to my unwittingly angering the landlord by nominating Henry's for Historic Cultural Monument status. As Councilmember Krekorian put a stop to that, the landlord may want to bulldoze Henry's and build something else. I am hoping to get some media coverage in the next few days. Needless to say I am heartsick that after 51 years, Henry's may end for no good reason. Thanks to you all for your support.

Top 2: LA Observed photos Dec. 8, 2012. Lower: Janis Hood on Facebook