SISTER PETITION: Save Acapulco in Glendale from Demolition

For years, the Glendale location of Acapulco Restaurant & Cantina has consistently ranked as the chain’s #1 restaurant in sales.  Now one of only two remaining Acapulco restaurants in the world, and the chain’s oldest surviving location, this “endangered” eatery has operated continuously since 1969 — the year the first man walked on the moon.  

In what essentially amounts to a hostile takeover, the property owners of 722 N Pacific Ave in Glendale, CA (Ralph Horowitz / Laura Worchell) have tried to kick out the historic and beloved Acapulco, in an effort to replace it with a proposed car wash that has already faced massive community and leadership opposition, including three official appeals, petitions, and organized boycotts.  There was even a conflict of interest, since the developer, Alen Malekian, serves on the board that initially approved it.  

However, property owner Ralph Horowitz publicly stated on 5/06/26 that Acapulco can absolutely return / stay and negotiate a new lease if the car wash proposal gets denied by the government, or if the prospective car wash tenant, Armen Kazangian, pulls out of his pending lease.  

Three official appeals have been submitted to the city, and are currently under review.  The Glendale City Council is also exploring zoning updates aimed at discouraging unfavorable development projects like this one.  

New drive-thru restaurants are increasingly being denied in cities because long idling lines contribute to air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and traffic congestion.  Drive-thru car washes create many of the same impacts — vehicles idling in queues, traffic backups onto public streets, and added environmental concerns — so they should be subject to the same scrutiny and limitations.  

•  Increased traffic and vehicle idling — Long car wash lines create congestion, spill onto public streets, and increase exhaust pollution.
•  Environmental impacts — Car washes consume large amounts of water and involve soaps, "forever chemicals," and runoff concerns. 
•  Forever chemical pollution — Car washes can release PFAS (“forever chemicals”) from soaps, waxes, and protectants into wastewater, adding long-term contamination risks for local waterways and groundwater. 
•  Noise pollution — Vacuums, dryers, and constant vehicle movement generate sustained noise that impacts nearby residents and businesses.
•  Pedestrian and traffic safety concerns — Heavy vehicle circulation increases risks for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers entering or exiting the site.
•  Reduced walkability and neighborhood character — Drive-through-oriented uses prioritize cars over people and can make commercial corridors less inviting and community-focused.
•  Loss of community-serving space — Replacing restaurants or gathering places with auto-oriented businesses reduces social and economic activity that benefits surrounding businesses and neighborhoods.

Modern car wash chemicals can include PFAS-based protectants and coatings.  These persistent “forever chemicals” can enter wastewater and ultimately local waterways, where they accumulate in the environment and are linked to long-term health risks including cancer.

The question has been raised: “How do you boycott something that hasn’t been built yet?”  This would be a future boycott, if the project moves forward.  While we remain hopeful that the car wash proposal will ultimately be rejected, this petition also serves as an effort to organize a peaceful community boycott and public demonstrations if the project moves forward.  

All stakeholders—including developers, businesses, and property owners—must understand that any redevelopment plan that fails to preserve or incorporate Acapulco as part of the new project will face massive community and leadership opposition, and carry significant business and reputational consequences.
  
SISTER PETITION: Save Acapulco in Glendale from Demolition 

4/08/26: Instagram Video Response from Glendale City Council:  "We're working on it."

5/14/26: This Petition in the News:  Economic Times: ‘We will remain open’: California’s beloved Acapulco restaurant to remain open indefinitely following overwhelming public support from fans 
 5/19/26:  New Mini Documentary - How Acapulco Glendale was Saved (Anonymous AI Rendition) 

5/28/26:  Glendale City Council Visits Acapulco, Helps Raise Awareness 

  Photos by Tim Leaton 

 Photos by Tim Leaton