This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

City Struggles to Find Replacement for Ruby's on Pier

Art Haack, former manager of the shuttered Ruby's, is the only restaurateur to apply for the spot despite city efforts to attract an array of suitors.

Despite the city’s repeated efforts to invite restaurateurs to replace the former Ruby’s Diner at the end of the Seal Beach, the sole applicant remains ... Ruby’s Diner.

Now, city officials aren’t quite sure what’s next for Seal Beach’s most prime piece of commercial real estate. Art Haack, the sole applicant and the Seal Beach Ruby’s former general manager, believes he knows what to do: Bring Ruby’s back.

“Ruby’s is, I feel, the perfect fit for that restaurant building out there,” said Haack. “I know that Ruby’s is a Seal Beach icon.”

Find out what's happening in Los Alamitos-Seal Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After the restaurant’s owner and city officials failed to agree on new lease terms in December, the 1950s-themed restaurant said it would no longer operate on the pier. Seal Beach staff began asking businesses to fill out applications to replace Ruby’s by Feb. 22. After a number of restaurants said they were interested but asked for more time, the city extended the application to last Friday.

Haack, who helped open the restaurant 25 years ago, said he felt “very confident going forward” that Ruby’s will get back to the pier.

Find out what's happening in Los Alamitos-Seal Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Although some residents have suggested the city is biased against Ruby’s, Haack said he didn’t feel the city had treated him or Ruby’s unfairly.

“I feel that they invited us into their RFP (request for proposal) process, and I feel that they want, at least, five (businesses) to be involved in the RFP process,” Haack said.

Haack said he had a great relationship with the city and community and that officials were simply trying to be even-handed with everyone.

Jim Basham, city director of community development, said he felt Seal Beach had been fair toward Ruby’s through every step of the process. Now that Haack is the sole applicant, Seal Beach has to decide what’s next, said Basham.

“We are going to explore our options,” Basham said. “I don’t know yet what we’re going to do.”

According to Basham, a number of prospective applicants said the site might need renovations, which could take time to deal with. And, he added, staff needs input from the City Council.

Basham said he hopes to decide the next step within the next few weeks.

The last Ruby’s burger was served in Seal Beach on Jan. 6, and the last day to move out was Jan. 10. Many patrons said they were sad to see the local landmark vanish.

What business would you like to see at the location? Another Ruby's or a new restaurant? 

Stay Patched in! Check out some of Los Alamitos, Rossmoor and Seal Beach's other top stories here. | Like Los Alamitos Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter and sign up for the daily email with links to the latest local news.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?