Welcome Back, Laurel Diner

A diner that brought Long Beach a bit of normalcy after Hurricane Sandy has finally reopened after a long-awaited renovation.

The Laurel Diner on W. Part Avenue opened their doors to rave reviews from residents who missed their favorite restaurant.

Re-imagined by Morris Nathanson Design, famed for glitzy clients like Disneyland Resorts, Johnny Rocket’s, and the Leows Hotel, the new Laurel revives the classic 1950s diner feel.

The Laurel shut their doors Christmas Eve and reopened last week. They had a slow start at first but were packed to the brim over the weekend.

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“It was just a madhouse from the moment we opened the door — it was really well received,” owner Andrew Loucas said, according to the Long Beach Herald.

The Laurel has been a favorite stop for several generations of Long Beach residents and, after Hurricane Sandy, was a place people could go for a taste of pre-disaster Long Beach. After Sandy, the Laurel’s owners said they wanted to give back to Long Beach by finally committing to a long-awaited renovation.

“We owe it to Long Beach; when the chips were down, you were there, and we have not forgotten and we will never forget,” they wrote on Facebook announcing the renovation. “The Laurel is as much yours as it is ours…it is home.”

This weekend, The Laurel became part of one couple’s marriage when long-time customer Bill Cyriax proposed to his girlfriend, Nikki Arzillo, according to Long Beach Herald. Cyriac reportedly arranged for their friends to sing “Leather and Lace” by Stevie Nicks and got down on one knee to propose.

“The place erupted in applause. It was a great, great night,” Loucas said, according to the report.

Read the slew of congratulations in the comments on their Facebook announcement here:

Photo via Facebook/Laurel Luncheonette & Restaurant

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