The location of the longtime oceanfront restaurant, Louis’ Restaurant, could become home to another new restaurant, according to the National Park Service, which owns the building.
“The NPS is currently working on a future RFP for a tenant to occupy 902 Point Lobos Ave to operate a restaurant,” NPS spokesman Julian Espinoza said in an email.
The park service had previously said that no search process was underway, but that they were “maintaining the building and assessing its potential use for the future.”
People walk past Louis’ restaurant which is located near Land’s End on February 17, 2023. The diner closed in 2020. | Garrett Leahy/The Standard
The NPS did not say when the RFP would be released. The NPS has had a bidding process for the former Cliff House restaurant and has selected a new operator but has given no further details.
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Louis’ restaurant closed in August 2020 after more than 80 years in business, just months before it was due to renew its lease. Months of closure due to Covid made it impossible to stay open.
Tom Hontalas, former co-owner of Louis’ Restaurant, in front of the famous 1930’s seaside restaurant. | Garrett Leahy/The Standard
Whoever takes over the building will have to make necessary repairs to the building, which hasn’t been fully renovated in decades, Espinoza said.
Public documents say the building, while in “good overall condition,” would not meet current building codes and would require more remodeling if the next restaurant there wanted to expand the space.
Laurie Thomas, executive director of the Golden Gate restaurant association, said that renovating professional kitchens can be very expensive.
Once you get into plumbing and electrical, you can easily get to $100,000,” Thomas said.
Tom Hontalas, a former co-owner of Louis’ restaurant, said he was curious to see who would eventually take over.
“I wish them the best and I look forward to seeing what they will do with the place,” Hontalas said. “Maybe I’ll stop by one day. I don’t think I’ll say who I am, but I would check it out.”
Garrett Leahy can be reached at [email protected]
