While the city has a nice climate and plenty of trees, there are plenty of examples of boom-and-bust cycles. One is Big Jo’s on Broadway.

I used to go to Big Jo’s Burgers for lunch when I worked down the street a few times a month. It is one of the best places to get a reasonably priced burger, fries, and a soft drink. COVID took it just like so much of the rest of the city.

But this isn’t an uncommon sight in Santa Monica. There have been ruins since before the city became Incorporated.

The Santa Monica Mirror covered it:

“Even Big Jo’s can’t survive the changing environment of new developments in Santa Monica.” — owner John Lee on the restaurant’s closure after more than 65 years.

https://smmirror.com/2022/10/santa-monica-burger-joint-big-jos-closing-after-65-years/

These are the boom and bust cycles of Californica. More and more commercial real estate is up for lease.