The Tropic Cafe, Imperial, CA (restaurant) - Locating Tiki

M MadDogMike Grand Member (8 years) The Anvil of the Sun Joined: Mar 30, 2008 Posts: 11061	M MadDogMike Posted posted on Thu, Feb 6, 2014 9:44 AM Name:The Tropic Cafe Type:restaurant Street:7th St & Imperial Ave City:Imperial State:CA Zip:92251 country:USA Phone:IMPERIAL 270 Status:defunct Description: I’m so excited at the prospect of another Polynesian inspired establishment in my Tiki deficient home town that I may be jumping the gun :lol: I recently found this picture of The Tropics Cafe It was owned by "Gilly" Blair Paul Gilroy and Sterling Oswalt. I am in contact with Gilly's daughter and am getting more information but it looks like it may be tropical in name only. It was a nightclub in the 40s and 50s, restaurant, bar, bands, entertainers, floorshow, and a poker room in the back. The daughter says it was very successful, in fact so successful that the LA Mafia wanted a piece of the action. Rather than become partners with the Mafia, her dad decided to close it down. I will find out the there was any Polynesian influence to the food, drinks, décor or entertainment and report back. The owner's daughter [ Edited by: MadDogMike 2014-02-19 03:47 ]
N'' nui 'umi 'umi Tiki Socialite La Mirada Atoll Joined: Feb 21, 2011 Posts: 2718	N'' nui 'umi 'umi Posted posted on Thu, Feb 6, 2014 11:22 AM We'll be watching and waiting-good luck! David and CeCe
M MadDogMike Grand Member (8 years) The Anvil of the Sun Joined: Mar 30, 2008 Posts: 11061	M MadDogMike Posted posted on Fri, Apr 20, 2018 5:39 PM Not finding much on this old place, but here is a matchbook

M

MadDogMike Posted posted on Thu, Feb 6, 2014 9:44 AM

Name:The Tropic Cafe
Type:restaurant
Street:7th St & Imperial Ave
City:Imperial
State:CA
Zip:92251
country:USA
Phone:IMPERIAL 270
Status:defunct

Description:
I’m so excited at the prospect of another Polynesian inspired establishment in my Tiki deficient home town that I may be jumping the gun :lol:

I recently found this picture of The Tropics Cafe

It was owned by "Gilly" Blair Paul Gilroy and Sterling Oswalt. I am in contact with Gilly's daughter and am getting more information but it looks like it may be tropical in name only. It was a nightclub in the 40s and 50s, restaurant, bar, bands, entertainers, floorshow, and a poker room in the back. The daughter says it was very successful, in fact so successful that the LA Mafia wanted a piece of the action. Rather than become partners with the Mafia, her dad decided to close it down.

I will find out the there was any Polynesian influence to the food, drinks, décor or entertainment and report back.

The owner's daughter

[ Edited by: MadDogMike 2014-02-19 03:47 ]

N''

nui 'umi 'umi Posted posted on Thu, Feb 6, 2014 11:22 AM

We'll be watching and waiting-good luck!
David and CeCe

M

MadDogMike Posted posted on Fri, Apr 20, 2018 5:39 PM

Not finding much on this old place, but here is a matchbook