Fate of Harold’s now looking sunny-side up




NOT SO FAST—Diners eat at Harold’s House of Omelettes on May 7, which was said to be its last day. Acorn file photo

NOT SO FAST—Diners eat at Harold’s House of Omelettes on May 7, which was said to be its last day. Acorn file photo

Local diner patrons are rejoicing over some egg-cellent news.

Harold’s House of Omelettes, Thousand Oaks’ oldest restaurant that closed its doors May 7, will reportedly live to scramble again.

The historic eatery on T.O. Boulevard is under new management and is expected to reopen as soon as this weekend, said Diana Felix, a colleague of the investor who is said to have bought Harold’s: Bioseh Ogbechie, a Simi Valley healthcare professional and restaurant investor.

Felix said Ogbechie decided to save the 60-year-old breakfast staple because of his emotional attachment to the local cafe.

Ogbechie has frequented Harold’s for over a decade. It’s where he used to take his mother to dine out. After she died, that’s where he hosted mourners, Felix said.

“It was one of the few places he would take her to eat,” she said. “It has more of like a sentimental value to it. This was a very special place to him, and it means a lot to him and his family.”

Ogbechie spoke to the Acorn on Harold’s closing day while he was still in the process of trying to contact the owner to save the diner.

“It’s good food, good people, friendly staff,” he said. “This place is legit. I’m ready to take the plunge, 100%.”

Feliz said Ogbechie wants to retain the same staff, including the head chef, the hours of operation and the recipes that made Harold’s a local favorite.

“He doesn’t want to make big changes. He wants to continue the tradition,” Felix said.

Harold’s opened in 1961, before the City of Thousand Oaks was incorporated, and fed workers at the Jungleland USA animal theme park.

Known for its heaping domeshaped omelets and plate-size pancakes, the establishment was named after its original owner, Harold Warner.

Warner moved to Thousand Oaks to cook for Du-Par’s but eventually decided to start his own restaurant instead.

The WWII vet operated the diner as a family-run business with his wife and four children, serving as chef there until the 1990s.

Tradition persists in the form of wood paneling and gingham curtains that adorn the small front dining room.

Felix said Ogbechie is in the process of rehiring staff, contacting vendors and completing paperwork.