Clifton’s was a chain of cafeterias that started in downtown Los Angeles in the early 1930s. The country was at the height of the depression and, unwilling to turn away a guest just because they couldn’t pay, Clifton’s instituted a “Pay What You Wish” policy. It’s hard to imagine anyone doing that now but the policy allowed people to preserve what was left of their dignity by paying their way, even if it was only a few pennies. This cafeteria was called “Clifton’s Pacific Seas” and stood at 618 S. Olive Street. The photo is from 1939.