The influx of jewelry stores in the area did not come about until after the 1960s when gold came to be seen as a safer investment than U.S. dollars. Gold was a great attraction and it was indeed popular not only for its benefits, but for the style it would give people. John Caskey, Fringe Banking: Check-Cashing Outlets, Pawnshops and the Poor (New York: Russel Sage, 1996), 65. Before this surge, the California Jewelry Mart dominated the local industry with its establishment on 607 S. Hill Street.St. Vincent Jewelry Center, "District History". Accessed March 14, 2012. 2 The district became even more popular with the opening of Saint Vincent Jewelry Center, which is still housed in a large 1923 building complex with a European-inspired alley of restaurants. Across the street from St. Vincent's is the State Theater Building, a twelve-story red brick office building and theater, designed by Charles Peter Weeks and William Day in 1921. Right across Loew's Theatre was another office building which accommodated a drug store in the early 20th century.Alfred Knopf, Los Angeles: A History (New York: Rosebud Books, 1980), 118. Behind Loews, along 7th street, is the Speckels building – an office building turned garment manufacturing center – and the Provident Loan Association, a not-for-profit organization that provided short term loans for gold and jewelry.USC Libraries, "The Loew's State building, Provident Loan Association, Thrifty Drug Store, Owl Drug Company, New York Millinery, and Ritz Millinery on Seventh Street." Accessed March 14, 2012.3 It was the last remaining of the many not-for-profit loan societies of the late 19th and early 20th century.John Caskey, Fringe Banking: Check-Cashing Outlets, Pawnshops and the Poor, (New York: Russel Sage, 1996), 24. Another building on 728 S. Hill Street is the Jasper building, a 14-story office Italianate building built in 1928, which was converted to accommodate another jewelry manufacturing center.M&M Holding LLC, "Jasper Building." Last modified 2008. Accessed March 14, 2012. 4 One particular historic site in process of restoration is Clifton’s Cafeteria on 648 South Broadway, whose original 1904 façade has been restored after 50 years of a grate-like, modern aluminum covering. This 1963 remodeling effort was an attempt to compete with the newer restaurants in the city suburbs.Pool, "Clifton's Cafeteria reveals original facade, hidden for fifty years," Los Angeles Times, 2, no. 12 (2012)5 It was once home to Boos Brothers Cafeteria until Clifton purchased the lease in 1935.Los Angeles Conservancy, "Clifton's Cafeteria reveals original facade, hidden for 50 years." Accessed March 14, 2012.6
