Will Use Existing Building
By Miles Shuper
Visalia
- Once again cautious optimism is emerging as prospects of the resurrection
of the site of the iconic Mearle's on Mooney Boulevard gain momentum.
Preliminary plans are for the art deco building to be extensively remodeled by an established restaurant franchise which is planning to expand into central and northern California, says Michael Kazarian, whose family owns the property. A long-term lease agreement is being finalized, he said.
Kazarian said although plans call for the new restaurant to carry the franchise name, the potential new owners have indicated they are eager to work towards keeping the spirit of Mearle's alive with décor and possibly other familiar touches.
Such a plan would be welcome news for members of the Friends of Mearle's, a local group which has doggedly fought for the resurrection of the famed drive-in.
Friends of Mearle's and Visalia Heritage, Inc. a 30-year-old non-profit organization, were able to obtain historic preservation status for Mearle's to keep it from demolition.
Specific rules would have to be followed before restrictions could be lifted to allow the building to be altered, city officials explained.
Kazarian said he has seen a rendering of the proposed new eatery, calling it “very impressive and capturing the style of Mearle's with lots of flair.”
Kazarian, who said a confidentiality agreement prevents him from disclosing the potential new restaurant, said the franchise has a 50s and 60s retro theme very much like Mearle's. He said preliminary plans could be taken to the city for consideration in several weeks.
Dennis Lehman, the city's chief building official, said he also has seen the rendering but no paperwork has been presented to the city. He also could not disclose the name of the potential new operator but characterized the status by saying “we are off of home plate but there still is a long way to go before getting around the bases and getting back to home.”
Although the structure is basically sound, Lehman said a lot of work would be needed before the site could be ready for remodeling and upgrading. Kazarian said the prospective franchise firm has studied the site and indicated it is eager to forge ahead.
The 70-year-old Mearle's structure was closed in August, 2006 when the operators went bankrupt. The Kazarian family paid $700,000 at auction for the property, outbidding a group of local residents seeking to save and restore the famed drive-in which was a legendary social and dining Mecca for area residents. A legal dispute between members of the partnered ownership of the land led to the property auction. The local bidders included the core of Friends of Mearle's who have refused to give up in their quest to save the legendary eatery.
Ann Silva, an instructor at College of the Sequoias and who lives blocks from the Mooney Boulevard icon, said she would be terribly disappointed if a franchise restaurant replaced her beloved Mearle's without creating a facility “that feels like Mearle's again.”
Silva said, “I know it can't be exactly like it was, but it would be crazy not to keep Mearle's alive.”
Silva purchased a number of Mearle's furnishings, including a large booth and other items at an auction earlier this year and says she has access to much more which could be used in the new restaurant to retain the lore of Mearle's. She said that would allow it “to bond” with local residents. She said “there is potential to put a lot of it back” in reference to the items she and others have obtained.
She also pointed out that Mearle Heitzman, the namesake of the Mooney restaurant, would be more than willing to help on details of color, décor or other big or small details if a Mearle's theme is followed. Silva said Heitzman was meticulous in matching colors of paint or upholstery when fixtures or painting repairs or updates were needed.
Silva admits it has been difficult to keep from being too optimistic that Mearle's can be resurrected, at least in some way, citing the emotional roller-coaster she and other Friends of Mearle's have had to ride over the last four years. “I've never lost hope” she said this week, noting that she continually hears comments like “Oh gosh, we miss Mearle's so much,” and “wouldn't it be wonderful if we could go to Mearle's again.”
She said Mearle's played a major role in the lives of so many Visalia and area residents that every effort must continue to keep the legendary restaurant from fading away completely.
“It was the site of many first dates, engagements and even a place for a last local meal or gathering before leaving for Vietnam,” she said.
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