The walls are decorated with vintage canteens, ski poles and novelty signs. Timbers used to frame separate seating areas are carved with bears' faces on one side and butts on the other.Īt the counter, the back of each of the rotating seats is wood-burned with a different saying (sample: “I work out early. A refrigerated display case offers cobblers, cream pies and almond-filled bear claws. Inside, the gift shop is stocked with T-shirts, berry-scented soaps and lotions and plush black teddy bears in a variety of sizes. The pieces were created by chainsaw artist Ray Schulz, who carves bears for each location. Now equipped with a new kitchen, dining room, gift shop and private meeting room that seats 30, the Black Bear Diner space features all of the chain's homey hallmarks.ĭiners are greeted in the parking lot by a trio of picnic-bound bears and at the front door by a 10-foot standing bear sculpture holding a “welcome“ sign atop a 2-foot base. (The first Black Bear Diner within the 805 area code was opened in Santa Maria two years ago by separate owners.) What will be Elite's 13th location broke ground last month in the San Bernardino County city of Colton. The Redding-based chain now has 130 diners in 13 states.Įlite is the largest Black Bear Diner franchisee, with 12 locations in cities ranging from Arden Way in Sacramento County to Tarzana in Los Angeles County, Mercer said. The first Black Bear Diner opened nearly 25 years ago in Mount Shasta, a setting that inspired its outdoorsy theme. Four of those employees will serve as managers for the 222-seat restaurant. Mercer said about 95 people were hired locally to don the chain's uniform, which during breakfast and lunch service includes bear-track suspenders. Now a resident of Sonoma, he has made Simi Valley his temporary home base while getting the restaurant ready for patrons. “We go through more to-go containers than I ever thought was possible,“ said Mercer, a Royal High School graduate who attended Moorpark College before embarking on a career in restaurants.
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