Totally Unauthorized

The landlord is sealing the building up to protect against graffiti and vandalism.

For 71 years, UC Berkeley students have been drinking beer and hanging out at Larry Blakes, but that all came to a shuddering halt on Friday, as the historic institution closed its doors for the last time and the landlord boarded it up.

I can’t quite understand this–the sidewalk in front of Blakes is full of students waiting to get in.  They seem to be doing an enormous business, yet they defaulted on their lease and got evicted.

The restaurant business is tough, I know.  I’m sad to see them close, and hope that the space is taken quickly by someone who can bring back the vitality that Blakes has brought to Telegraph Avenue since 1940.