Koreatown’s Gorgeous Art Deco Building Secures Its First Food Vendor

Koreatown’s Selig Building’s striking black and gold facade is impossible to miss. Seated on the northwest corner of Third and Western, the historic building’s went through a recent renovation and secured its first food tenant. DTLA dessert shop the Dolly Llama opens on May 26.

The Dolly Llama opened in Downtown in late 2017. They have milkshakes, but the emphasis is on waffles served three ways: a classic waffle, a waffle stick, and the bubble waffle, the latter of which is one of Hong Kong’s most popular street snacks. Toppings, sauce, and ice cream finish the sweet dish.

Built in 1931, the Selig Building is one of LA’s Art Deco standouts and was named a Historic-Cultural Monument in 1985. The Shomof Group purchased the building in 2016, refurbished the building to appear closer to its original state, and opened up availability to local business owners. For decades, the building saw a frequent stream of retailers until Dolly Llama’s owner Samuel Baroux signed a lease this year.

Hours will run Monday to Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight, and weekends from 12 p.m. to midnight.

Dolly Llama. 273 S. Western Avenue. Los Angeles, CA

• A New 21 and Over Lounge Serves Cereal and Boozy Milk in Koreatown [ELA]
• The 10 best Art Deco buildings in Los Angeles [Curbed LA]