Philippe’s is NOT Closing

Question

I called and asked. Nope. Ain’t happening.

Cole’s on Sixth Street is closing.

Answer

Good question. You’re exactly right: Philippe’s (aka Philippe the Original) is *not* closing. The confusion probably stems from news about its longtime rival, Cole’s French Dip.

Here’s what’s actually happening in Los Angeles, with all the relevant detail:

Philippe’s Status
Philippe’s has publicly confirmed that it is *not* shutting down. According to their official Facebook page, there was some misinformation circulating—but they clarified: “our doors remain wide open” and there are no plans to close.
Cole’s French Dip Is Closing
Cole’s, located on East 6th Street in downtown L.A., announced a permanent closure after 117 years in business.

Originally, their final day was slated for August 3, 2025, per the owner’s statement.

Due to a huge wave of community support (long lines, fanfare, etc.), Cole’s negotiated with the landlord to stay open longer. Their closing date was first pushed to mid-September.

More recently, though, they have delayed the shutdown *again* — the target is now November 1, 2025, according to reports.

Why Cole’s Is Shutting Down

The owner, Cedd Moses (of the hospitality group Pouring With Heart), cited a variety of serious pressures: rising labor and rent costs, ongoing economic strain from the pandemic, the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes, and legal / bureaucratic burdens.

Additionally, downtown L.A.’s challenging environment (some sources mention concerns like crime and high maintenance) made running a historic, independent restaurant increasingly difficult.

What This Means for the Rivalry

There has long been a friendly rivalry between Philippe’s and Cole’s: both claim to have invented the French dip sandwich. With Cole’s closing (for now), Philippe’s stands as the surviving institution — at least in its current form.

Philippe’s even posted on social media expressing sadness over Cole’s impending closure, acknowledging the rivalry and reassuring patrons they are not going anywhere.

Take-Home Points

✅ Philippe’s (Philippe the Original) — Not closing. Open as usual, no announced plans to shut down.
❗ Cole’s French Dip — Very likely closing (or at least significantly scaling down) by November 1, 2025, following multiple extensions.
📅 If you want to visit Cole’s one last time (or before it changes), the newly extended timeline gives you more opportunity, but it’s still likely its final run under the current ownership.

So your understanding is correct: your source (that Philippe’s isn’t closing) is solid. The real headline is about Cole’s — not Philippe’s. Let me know if you want help finding other historic L.A. diners or French-dip spots to visit!