By Marisol Cruz, Editorial Intern
After months of renovations, the Lighthouse Café reopened Aug. 3, retaining most of its menu and staff, despite changing hands.
Cindy and Jason Fogle, the new owners, have a long-time connection with San Pedro and the Lighthouse Café. Jason Fogle was born in San Pedro and his father worked at a San Pedro hospital for 30 years.
“We had our first apartment here [on 39th Street] and our first house, so we’ve been coming [to the Lighthouse Café] for 30-plus years,” Cindy Fogle said.
“We’ve always loved it; always had it in the back of our mind that it would be a great place to own someday.”
Jason Fogle said that this past year he happened upon a broker’s site that had a listing for “a little café in San Pedro, quiet neighborhood, tons of apartments around.” After calling the broker and signing a nondisclosure, they discovered that it was the (previously known as) Lighthouse Café and Deli.
“We saw it going downhill a little bit and we had a vision to bring it back to its old glory days and get the neighborhood excited to be here again,” Jason Fogle discussed.
The Fogles made a same-day offer and soon after they became owners of the new Lighthouse Café. Then, they shut it down to do a full renovation.
“It’s been a process, but it’s been a fun process,” Cindy Fogle commented.
The building is 100 years old. Renovations ranged from exposing an original brick wall that adds to the cafe ambience to installing new plumbing and wiring.
“Everything is brand new, but we wanted to save some things: the stained glass, the mural,” Jason Fogle stated.
“Keep the original but make it ours,” Cindy Fogle agreed.
They also put in a garage door on the side of the café, letting in light and fresh air.
The landlords were appreciative of the new improvements so they offered to contribute to the renovations as well. The landlords commissioned a local artist, Brenda Gonzalez, to paint a mural on the outside of the building.
Jason Fogle said Gonzalez pulled inspiration from the established decor, such as the booths. The light blue and white booths have orange windsurfers on them, paying homage to the real orange windsurfer that hung from the ceiling when the Fogles frequented the café. Now, the mural dons the orange windsurfer as well.
The Fogles retained the main cook, who has worked with the restaurant for more than 25 years, and most of the staff.
“The first thing when people come in, they ask, ‘Is Arnie still here?’” Jason Fogle said.
The Fogles plan to add new dishes, such as a Monday football night special. They also are recruiting more cooks who are bringing new ideas.
“[But we] need to get fully staffed before that happens,” Jason Fogle said. “In that time, we’ll work on a dinner menu and then do a relaunch once we’re fully staffed.”
The Fogles are pleased with the response the new Lighthouse Café has been met with.
“The reception has been great, the neighborhood’s been great [and] the regulars have been wonderful,” Cindy Fogle said.
Editor’s note — Lighthouse Café is temporarily closed while they obtain permits for renovation.
Details: www.lighthousecafesanpedro.com
Location: 508 W. 39th St., San Pedro