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Ruby's Diner On The Huntington Beach Pier To Permanently Close Friday

HUNTINGTON BEACH (CBSLA) — The popular Ruby's Diner at the end of the Huntington Beach Pier is closing its doors for good Friday evening.

For a quarter-century, hungry Surf City locals and tourists flocked to Ruby's to grab a burger and shake.

The restaurant and its famous red-tiled roof sitting above the Pacific has been endlessly photographed. At 7 p.m. Friday, the oceanfront location will close forever.

"It's the last supper of sorts," said customer Bruce Ralph. "Sad to see it go, but all good things come to an end I suppose. I spent a lot of years here, out of high school in my 20's, 30's."

Lily Jacinto- Huntington Beach resident

"It's kinda devastating," said Huntington Beach resident Lily Jacinto. "We just found that out its closing. It's just a landmark here. We actually have a painting where my husband and I are in front of this and we have Ruby's Diner right in the back on the pier."

Several Ruby's Diner locations remain open throughout Orange County but city officials said the lease to the Huntington Beach location is being transferred to a new operator.

As word spread, the line at Ruby's window grew longer and longer.

"I don't want them to close down," said young customer Logan Ornelas.

The trademark red vinyl booths indoors have been empty for months due to COVID.

One Huntington Beach mom said she will never forget the memories she made as a server back in high school.

"I want to say all the families coming in and how that atmosphere was so energetic and happy and it was such a good feeling every time you walked in and I enjoyed coming here," said former server Katrina Foley. "Every time I worked I just skipped down the pier coming in."

There's not much known about the restaurant replacing the diner except for the fact that it's expected to come here sometime this summer and the focus of the menu is seafood.

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