It's the end of an era for Dinah’s Family Restaurant, a staple for 64 years in Westchester, but not the end of the road. According to an LA Weekly report, the beloved diner is set to move its operation into Culver City due to a development project on Sepulveda Boulevard as reported by Eater Los Angeles. The restaurant, which first fired up its grills in 1959, will serve its last plate on April 30 before flipping the closed sign one final time at its iconic original location.

The tale of Dinah's is one of survival and evolution. Mario Ernst, who owns Dinah's alongside his wife Teri, was initially told he could operate during the daunting four-year construction phase planned by the developer Fairfield Industries, but later found Dinah’s needed to shutter for that period as the development took shape, Ernst, expressed his shock about the pivot in an interview with LA Weekly: "I was probably more overwhelmed and shell-shocked right when I heard [the initial plans]," as per Eater Los Angeles report. The restaurateur, not one to just let his skillet cool vowed not to let his establishment become just a memory.

Ultimately, Ernst's first thought was to safeguard his 60 employees' jobs. His dedicated staff, many of whom clocked in for over 30 years, were a pivotal concern in his decision-making. Finding a new spot was crucial. Just down the street, the culinary heart of Dinah's will beat again come May 6 at Culver Crossroads, however, the joint will be reborn with a fresh identity as Dinah’s Kitchen.

More than just a mere relocation, Dinah’s Kitchen promises a revamped gastronomic experience. Ernst plans to introduce an expanded menu, stepping beyond the traditional diner fare. As detailed by Ernst in the LA Weekly interview, the revamp includes collaborations with chefs nationwide, embracing a farm-to-fork philosophy. "While Dinah’s used to use canned vegetables and pie fillings, the restaurant will now use fresh produce and work with local farms,"