Ribbon cutting ceremony at the Woolworth’s grand opening. Photo by Fatima Salais / The Runner
Missed the grand reopening of Woolworth Luncheonette?
Experience what made it unforgettable through this story.
All of 19th Street was shut down and transformed into a community invitation for the Woolworth’s Luncheonette grand opening. Vendors lined the sidewalks, musicians performed from a tall stage near the entrance and families, couples and longtime residents filled the streets in bundles. For one evening, downtown Bakersfield felt revived, radiating a mix of nostalgia and introductions.
When customers enter the crystal clean glass doors they are greeted with the good ‘ole smell of a classic American cheeseburger. Directly in front of the entrance is the register where guests can order their meals, and slightly to the right is the seating area, made up of classic red chairs and Luncheonette metal tables. Looking further to the right is the famous Woolworth Luncheonette bar filled with old couples reliving their memories.
Just beyond the main dining area, the new Reverb Café offered espresso, matcha and hojicha drinks, bringing a modern touch to the Luncheonette’s vintage charm.
“It’s something people have been waiting for,” said Baeza, 23, who attended the grand reopening as a volunteer, but used to visit often with his mother as a form of bonding. “I used to come here with her before it shut down.”
“The counter, the old-fashioned feel of it,” it what Natalie Martinez said when asked what makes Woolworth’s special. As a lifelong Woolworth’s customer Martinez feels that it was important for er to re-experience Woolworth’s as a whole at this grand opening.
“I’ve been coming here all my life, so I wanted to see it open again. We would’ve waited even if we were at the back of the line,” said Martinez.
For many in Bakersfield, Woolworth’s reopening wasn’t just about food; it was about reconnecting with memories.
“The history behind Woolworth’s — people have been waiting for this,” said Baeza .
“It’s one of the top five burgers in Bakersfield. And being able to say, ‘Yeah, I was there for the grand opening,’ that’s something I’ll always remember,” said Baeza.
Woolworth’s, which originally closed in 2022, is among the last remaining Woolworth’s Luncheonettes in the country. Its return represents a revival not just of a business, but of a shared piece of Bakersfield history.
As the neon lights glowed over 19th Street that evening and live music echoed down the block, it was clear this was more than a reopening it was a reunion.