The Diner, a new Longview eatery featuring a throwback theme reminiscent of the 1950s, opened last week at 2900 Tuttle Drive.
It's across from Papacita's and behind Jason's Deli in the former home of Winger's. Operator and co-owner Kathy Hegwood said The Diner features "made from scratch" offerings served in an atmosphere that includes 1950-theme murals and a jukebox featuring musical offerings from that era.
The Diner features a full breakfast menu, including homemade biscuits and gravy along with freshly ground coffee. "Blue plate" specials will be featured at lunch.
Chicken fried steak, hamburgers, steak fingers, homemade onion rings and freshly cut french fries will be normal offerings on the menu. For folks who have a sweet tooth, old- fashioned ice cream malts and shakes along with homemade pies will be offered, Hegwood said.
Grand opening activities were held late last week and included live entertainment by the group "Shake, Rattle and Roll," she said.
Hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday and from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturdays. The Diner is closed Sundays, Hegwood said.
Belle Pepper opening soon
Another new Longview-area dining out option could be opening soon.
John and Karen Hutto's Belle Pepper Cafe was awaiting the arrival and stamp of approval of a health inspector late last week.
The Belle Pepper Cafe is located at 4196 East U.S. 80 in the former location of Hutto's East 80 Garden Center. The nursery operation recently moved to a newly built structure directly east of the cafe.
The Belle Pepper Cafe will be offering down home cooking with menu offerings that include chicken fried steak, charbroiled burgers and more.
Moving day arrives
Customers of LifeWay Christian Store will find the Brookwood Village location closed so the staff can make the move to new quarters.
The former location was scheduled to close at 4 p.m. Saturday with the new Longview Towne Crossing location slated to open by Wednesday and perhaps sooner if details of the move get taken care.
LifeWay has been at 1412 McCann Road for a number of years. Longview Towne Crossing is at the northeastern corner of the intersection of North Eastman Road and Hawkins Parkway.
The grand opening event for LifeWay is scheduled to start May 10, according to Crystal Aills, assistant manager.
Oak Creek gets P&Z nod
Oak Creek, a planned mixed-use commercial development slated for North Longview got the nod of approval from the Longview Planning and Zoning Commission last week. Those plans are scheduled to go before the Longview City Council in May.
Perry Hall, Tyler developer for the Roberts and Ray families who own the 145 acres, was on hand to answer questions at the Tuesday session. There was some objection from residents of the Ray Creek subdivision who expressed concern about the possibility of having multi-family housing built adjacent to their single-family development.
As specifics of the development materialize, developers will have to go back before the commission for approval, officials said. Issues such as buffer zones and privacy fencing could be addressed then.
Hall said his firm was seeking zoning changes to allow Perry B. Hall Co. to move forward with marketing efforts.
Mike Elswick is the business editor of the Longview News-Journal. He can be reached at (903) 237-7737 or at: melswick@longview-news.com.
