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More than 500 Fans Rally to Support Henry's Tacos with Elijah Wood, Aaron Paul and Other Celebs [Photos & Video]

George Lopez foot the bill for an hour, and others who have come to the place for more than half a century gathered for the tribute rally.

More than 500 celebrities, fans and well wishers gathered at the corner of Tujunga and Moorpark on Sunday afternoon to show support for Henry's Tacos, which may have to close by the end of the year.

Hobbit star Elijah Wood as well as Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul were among the headliners who came out to support the small business. 

"I've been coming here since I was 8 or 9 years old," the 31-year-old Wood told Studio City Patch. Wood, who grew up in the area, added, "Every time I'm back in this area I come back. I love this place."

Wood said he tweeted out his concern after reading that Henry's was having problems, and said, "I'm following it online and reading about it and the more I find out about Henry's the more I think it's a local treasure that has to be saved." (See video of him above.)

Janis Hood, the owner of the family-owned taco stand, was overwhelmed, being hugged by Paul and after saying a few words said, "I need to get back to work to help feed you all." She is giving her staff the day off on Monday.

The landowner of the property has not allowed Hood to sell to one of three prospective buyers of the business and keep it going as a gringo taco stand.

Check back for many more fan photos, comments and additional video.

Also, more than 4,400 people have signed the petition to "Save Henry's" even though Hood herself is ready to retire from the business. See the petition CLICK HERE.

(If you have photos you care to share, please click ADD YOUR PHOTOS AND VIDEO under the photo above.)

Also see:

* Exclusive: Henry’s Tacos Owner on Calling It Quits

* Henry's Tacos: A History in Photos and Video

* Henry's Tacos: What's Your Reaction?

* Celebrities Join Campaign to Save Henry's Tacos


morris December 16, 2012 at 09:10 pm
This is not "breaking news" worthy of the (multiple) e-mail alerts, you guys...
Karen Eisenberg December 16, 2012 at 09:58 pm
Thank you Morris. Why don't these 500 "fans" including multiple celebrities rally to support the victims of Newtown, CT instead. Use your millions for something positive. Tacos are not important this weekend. It annoys me to see all these people standing out in the rain for a free taco when their time could be better spent helping this horrible American tragedy of Sandy Hook Elementary. How can priorities be so out of wack this holiday season?
Sheri Haas December 16, 2012 at 10:07 pm
I am disgusted about hordes of people crowding a taco stand when our country has been turned upside down with a tragedy equal to 9/11 if not worse. I don't ever want a taco again. Enough. Henry's should have closed today out of respect.
Christopher Thom December 16, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Yeah standing in the rain supporting a local family owned business that has served the neighborhood for generations is selfish. How do you know any of these people haven't ALSO given their support to other causes. What they did is way more respectable than going on the Internet and hating on people who have good intentions.
Wes December 16, 2012 at 10:19 pm
I was in line to save Henry's Tacos today. First off, how is not eating taco's going to help the affected people of Newtown? Second off, how is complaining on the internet going to help? Mind your own business and let us eat tacos.
Craig Clough (Editor) December 16, 2012 at 11:35 pm
There is always more than one issue worth fighting for, and the historic preservation of the San Fernando Valley is an important issue. It's inspiring to see so many people rallying to support a local business. Many of our historical buildings in the Valley are being bulldozed and replaced with one generic strip mall after another, and preserving the Valley is worth fighting for any day of the week in my book.
Heidi Birker December 17, 2012 at 12:33 am
Amen, Craig. Excellent point.
Christopher Thom December 17, 2012 at 12:41 am
(BTW my 1st sentence was sarcastic). I fully agree with anyone taking time out to support a good cause whether it's saving a local business, recovering from a national tragedy or a bigger world wide issue. Charity starts at home, even if it is just a taco stand.
Madeline Bailey December 17, 2012 at 01:18 pm
I'm sorry to see Henry's go but there are two sides to the story. Henry's owner filed an application to make the building a historical landmark without consulting with the property's owner. This status would have prevented the property owner from developing the property long after Henry's owner retires. Surely the property has been up for sale sometime in the last 51 years and the Hood family could have purchased it had they been interested in preserving the taco stand forever. It's not surprising that a commercial property owner, a business man, would have issues with his tenant.
Michael Higby December 17, 2012 at 03:41 pm
Agreed. We have become a country too obsessed with telling other people what to do.
John December 17, 2012 at 05:39 pm
Right, and do what? Protest the school shooting by... going to Connecticut? I don't get it.
Sheri Haas December 17, 2012 at 06:17 pm
No John, not by going to CT but by showing respect. George Lopez could have donated money to Henry's and skipped the one free taco gluttony. The horde standing in the rain could have gathered to light a candle and say a prayer. Tacos come and go, children don't.
David Pearlberg December 17, 2012 at 07:29 pm
Sheri...
How can you have the nerve to suggest that because people care about a local business they cannot possibly care about Newtown. Though I wasn't at Henry's myself yesterday, I will go out on a limb and speak for the folks who were, and tell you that everyone in line cares about kids more than they care about tacos, but that they are quite capable of caring about both.
Sheri Haas December 17, 2012 at 07:40 pm
It is my opinion. Henry's has never been open on Sunday until "celebs" wanted publicity and pictures. It was in bad taste to do it on this particular Sunday.
Michael Higby December 17, 2012 at 08:01 pm
My word, to what extremes are we doing these days? Let's review some facts:
1 - Janis has been open on Sundays ever since the word came out she was closing to accommodate customers 2 - As much of a horrific tragedy it was in Newtown, life must go on and we must not give into fear. In fact, 20 years ago we would not even be having this discussion. Newtown is like 4,000 miles away. It's only because of the internet and the 24 hour feed me news culture that we are even aware of something like this. If in fact this happened at a local school, it might be different and might not be a bad idea for Henry's to skip the event. There are bad things happening everywhere - are we just going to shut everything down? 3 - and again, it is certainly not on the same scale as what the families are going through in Newtown, but here we have a situation where several families are going to lose their livelihood, and one person, their life's work. I see nothing wrong with trying to help them.,
okat December 17, 2012 at 10:34 pm
what are you people doing? we are in a mafia run and controlled world, there's a battle on every corner from a taco stand that brings some comfort and nostalgia to a community where starbucks and walmarts are destroying independently owed business and killing the every man/woman... a world where drones are dropping bombs on innocent civilians murdering thousands and no one says anything... it's a world where governments have their own agendas and media covers up and manipulates stories to hide the crimes caused by the super rich elite. we need to fight for everything and everyone. wake up hypocritical slaves!
okat December 17, 2012 at 10:39 pm
what are you people doing? we are in a mafia run and controlled world, there's a battle on every corner from a taco stand that brings some comfort and nostalgia to a community where starbucks and walmarts are destroying independently owed business and killing the every man/woman... a world where drones are dropping bombs on innocent civilians murdering thousands and no one says anything... it's a world where governments have their own agendas and media covers up and manipulates stories to hide the crimes caused by the super rich elite. we need to fight for everything and everyone. wake up hypocritical slaves!
Sheri Haas December 17, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Huh?
Frank Mihelcic December 18, 2012 at 12:58 am
Madeline
I fully agree with your observation.
Jen Duglas December 18, 2012 at 01:02 am
In bad taste? Oh, I'm sorry I didn't realize there was a criteria to mourning. Why don't you let us know when it is appropriate for us to support local business again. Really, you have some audacity... I guess you feel superior to all of us who don't know the rules and regulations of behaving properly after a national tragedy.
Alex Daniels December 18, 2012 at 04:06 am
With all due respect, Karen who the heck are you to judge which issues should be important and to whom.... Of course this weekends Massacre is tragic to the highest degree and is beyong compare as far as importance, but maybe saving Henry's is one way a community can unite and try to save something that has become and dear freind to the town and part of our community for so many years...Henry's Taco is OUR issue and how dare someone judge the importance of any issue that a community chooses rally around and support ...One thing I must agree and I dont lay the blame on them but a few of these celebs could step up and purchase the land from the owner and put the issue to rest..Not that they "should", just saying they "could"...Also I hope the Starlight is not next...
Grant Miles December 18, 2012 at 09:44 am
Michael, I have never agreed with a post more than I do with your comment here. How true!
Dave Petterson December 18, 2012 at 06:01 pm
Why doesn't someone or partners just buy the rights (if any), recipes, signs & such & open a new place or places somewhere close by? The owner is tired of doing this & it seems like there's enough customers to make it work.
Yami December 19, 2012 at 06:29 pm
Let it go folks....their not gonna be able to pay the rent !!! ($6000mo)
Lorali December 22, 2012 at 11:11 pm
I grew up in this neighborhood and now live down the street. It was great to see all
of these people coming together for Henry's. For all of the people saying we/they should not because of the tragedy is ridiculous. Why aren't those same people going themselves to support in in CT. So judgmental. We all need a community to come together to make us feel better in this world with such terrible things happening.

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Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Stepping back into the light. Thanks Jaqueline Huang.
E.M. Fredric June 16, 2013 at 08:56 pm
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rumradio-org/2013/06/17/rumradio-interview-with-eva-marie-fredric-1
E.M. Fredric June 16, 2013 at 08:56 pm
Thanks Mike, you are always such a positive and supportive friend!
E.M. Fredric June 17, 2013 at 10:00 am
The re-airs tonight and Sunday on the radio but you can listen at the link above any time.
Rich Addams June 15, 2013 at 07:43 am
Who ARE you and what's the number? What kind of informational specialist are you, you leave noRead More number, no email, and you expect us to care? BLOG something lady! Tells us about it!!!!
Kalil Stimpson June 17, 2013 at 07:32 pm
Dear tbs, Deon Coles black box is the worst tv show ever. Though it is hosted by a black man, it'sRead More a show based on pointing fun and rude Racist jokes directed toward black people. If there was a white host it would be considered racist but because a black man was appointed to be host , you might have figured we wouldn't be offended but we are and I can't speak for all but I feel like resist jokes aren't ok regardless of who is telling them and I would like tbs to take down this show or atleast change the points in the show ! -signed, Kalil Stimpson
Miki Henderson June 12, 2013 at 11:29 am
How fun! I can't wait! What a great place to do it, too! Llove the cheeses!
Miki Henderson June 12, 2013 at 11:30 am
This is the last piece of open area along this river, if we're ever going to have it look like aRead More real river again, we MUST preserve this seciton, which is about a quarter way down! PLease help!! Thank you for your volunteerism, I know you ladies have done so much!
SCNC Movies In The Park
Richard Niederberg June 10, 2013 at 07:44 am
It was a quality event and a good time was had by all. Parking was NOT a problem. Just bring yourRead More blanket, carpet fragment or your lawn chair and you are good to go.
Miki Henderson June 10, 2013 at 08:03 pm
I found the crowd rather rude and noisy, guess I shouldn't expect quiet in a park, I left early
John Walker June 10, 2013 at 08:14 pm
I am so very sorry to hear of your experience. I received many, many emails from the community,Read More all speaking of a very fun and positive experience. I do hope this does not prevent you from coming to our next Free Movie event on Saturday, June 22nd.