‘Cindy’s is back!’
Also, a protein shake cafe, a retiring dentist, and updates on a new cafe/lounge, Mabel’s Market, Starbucks, Chipotle, a martial arts academy and Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters
I hinted at it last week but it’s now official: The owner of the former Cindy’s Restaurant is bringing his diner concept back to Davis. Owner Jerry Umnartyutithum just signed a lease for the former Black Bear Diner space at 255 Second St.
The Davis Cindy’s opened in 1973 at 4823 Chiles Road. The American diner franchise changed hands a couple of times. When it closed in 2022, it was operating as a morning diner and evening Thai restaurant called Cindy’s Kow Thai. The owner continues to operate a Thai eatery, Thai Terrace, at 1596 Howe Ave. in Sacramento. A lot of Davis fans make the trip.
Last year, the old Cindy’s building was demolished for a Chipotle. I have an update on that project later in this column.
Umnartyutithum called me last week, excitedly sharing the news: “Cindy’s is back!” But the lease wasn’t official. Black Bear still needed to terminate its lease, and the Cindy’s owner had to sign his. Late Monday, broker Steve Boschken of Boschken Properties confirmed that those were done.
Boschken reached out to Umnartyutithum after reading Comings & Goings. “Thank you for connecting Jerry and me, He is such a wonderful person,” Boschken said today. “We are thrilled to have him back in Davis.”
The new eatery is not going to be the same as Cindy’s.
