Photos: Clifton’s cafeteria | Now and then

Among the renovations to Clifton’s was removing the 1960 metal facade and clearing out more recent interior additions to the ground floor.

Clifton’s, a long-standing downtown Los Angeles cafeteria, is finally set to reopen in September with an expanded floor space among the many renovations.

A woodsy mural sets the scene in one area of the remodeled Clifton’s cafeteria.

Developer Andrew Meieran traveled the world to acquire furnishings and accessories that would fit right in to the Clifton’s ambience.

A dramatically carved bar at Clifton’s.

Among the wildlife habitat displays at the soon-to-reopen Clifton’s: a 9-foot-tall woolly buffalo.

Developer Andrew Meieran took over Clifton’s in 2010 and has spent the last few years renovating the downtown space.

On tap at the renovated Clifton’s: two restaurants, including the cafeteria, and five bars.

Every room at Clifton’s features a distinct look.

The remodeled Clifton’s features various wildlife habitat displays.

Clifton’s original facade, revealed in February 2012, has not been seen since the 1950s.

Even the outside area at Clifton’s, shown in 2006, features distinct touches.

A fake fish on a hook is one of the objects on display at Clifton’s in 2012.

A moose keeps watch over the Clifton’s dining room in 2010.

The flora at Clifton’s as seen in 2012.

A woodsy Clifton’s setting in 2009.

The food trays at Clifton’s circa 2012.

From 2006: Charles O’Connor, 78, has been eating at Clifton’s almost every day since 1955 when he lived and worked in downtown Los Angeles. “I ate breakfast and most dinners here, and usually had a sandwich at work for lunch.” He is served his plate by Carolyn Gilliard, who has worked at Clifton’s for 31 years.

Cabin style via Clifton’s in 2009.

Robert Clinton, left, and his father Don Clinton, the previous owners of Clifton’s, are shown at the cafeteria in 2012.

A tour bus takes visitors along Broadway and past the landmark Clifton’s in 2012.