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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Luna Park Café finds its second owner, after 35 years

(File photo)

Three months ago, we told you that Luna Park Café proprietor John Bennett had, after 35 years, decided to find a new owner for his restaurant. Now the search is over. We discovered this via a routine check of liquor-license applications – one way to learn about new establishments or new owners for existing ones – and followed up with Bennett, who confirmed the sale:

I did sell Luna Park Cafe after over 35 years of ownership. I started building out the restaurant in 1988 in what was Pat and Ron’s tavern. I opened the day after St Patrick’s Day 1989. I carefully vetted all the people who made offers. I feel I picked the right person to take over for the next 35 years. I physically worked at the restaurant for 4 months before I sold it. It was great to talk to all the longtime customers and work with an amazing staff. It was bittersweet to sell, but I need to move on toward retirement.

The new owner is Heong Soon Park, already an accomplished restaurateur – his restaurants include Bacco Café at Pike Place Market, Chan Seattle in the Paramount Hotel, and Cheese Room Seattle on Capitol Hill (which took over the longtime Ristorante Machiavelli space). Via email, we asked the new owner if any changes are ahead for Luna Park Café. He replied, “Luna Park will stay the same, I will be working on improving food and some service, but only to make it better, I promised John to keep for another 30 years to keep his legacy and I want to keep my promise.” For now the hours will remain 8 am-3 pm daily, but Park adds, “We are planning to open for the evening next year. I have a lot of things to digest before I go further.” But he stresses he’s in it for the long haul: “I am improving Luna Park to make it better and can last another 30 years. Who know who will be taking over after 30 years; hopefully my kids. But give me some time, I will promise you to make it better in every way and be the #1 West Seattle go-to spot!!” (Never been to Luna Park Café? 2918 SW Avalon Way.)

16 Replies to "BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Luna Park Café finds its second owner, after 35 years"

  • West Seattle Lite October 11, 2024 (10:48 pm)

    So glad to hear that Luna Park Cafe has a new owner. Haven’t been to Heong’s other restaurants but happy to hear that LP is staying the same. 

  • Nadmiral October 12, 2024 (9:27 am)

    John:  I will always have strong and fond memories of many fabulous breakfasts (I missed the hashbrowns! ) and they unique and interesting interior.  I am very pleased it will continue. I hope you can get back to adding tasty hashbrowns to breakfast.! I’m sure you were selective about the purchaser and I have great confidence in your selection. WELCOME To the new owner: I look forward to meeting you. Maybe you can find the old Tony and get him back? Thank you for keeping our neighborhood treasure protected. (get Tony.! Have hashbrowns! ❤️

  • David October 12, 2024 (10:01 am)

    Please bring back onion rings and the patty melt (gone since the post-pandemic “re-model”).  :)

    • sam-c October 12, 2024 (1:42 pm)

      +2 more votes to bring the patty melt back (me and my spouse).  We really have missed that since the pandemic.  A true patty melt (with the rye bread) is so good.

  • Derek October 12, 2024 (10:13 am)

    All night diner again please? Please? Some of us are up past 7Pm

  • Junction Resident October 12, 2024 (11:10 am)

    Please keep the separate vegan menu (and maybe add back the vegan grilled cheese that used to be on there)!  Aside from box bar, which is fully vegan, no other West Seattle restaurants have separate vegan menus.  There are restaurants with labeled vegan options, but not a separate menu.  And I’m happy to hear the hours will be expanding next year!

    • Lisab October 12, 2024 (7:16 pm)

      YES, YES, YES:)

    • Elizabeth October 13, 2024 (5:35 pm)

      I know! That’s my worry too. Please don’t get rid of the vegan menu (especially the breakfast burrito.) It brings so much joy!

    • walkerws October 15, 2024 (10:41 am)

      I’d be devastated if the vegan menu went away. The vegan breakfast burrito is so good.

  • pete mitchell October 12, 2024 (1:03 pm)

    Please be open at night! and bring back patty melt

  • Kerry Korsgaard October 12, 2024 (1:52 pm)

      Thank you, John for creating one of the most unique restaurants that I’ve ever had the pleasure of dining in in all of the 8 states where I’ve lived. Good food, greatest Milkshakes ever, nice variety, a few more vegetarian items would have been good but, there are some nice selections, and the decor is second to none! I wish the new owner all the best of luck! I have enjoyed the food at the Paramount a few times so, that’s encouraging. Looking forward to some later hours when possible. BTW retirement is pretty good too! Kerry

  • wscommuter October 12, 2024 (9:23 pm)

    Bacco is a really great breakfast spot by the Market – so this bodes really well for LPC.  

  • WS bestSeattle October 13, 2024 (10:32 am)

    So thrilled! Somebody local bought this! Good luck to you and I personally wouldn’t mind some Korean or Korean fushion food. Yumm….

  • Marcy Johnsen October 13, 2024 (4:39 pm)

    That’s terrific news!Thank you John for so many years of wonderful food in a quirky, fun place! And thank you Heong Soon Park for taking over and promising to make it even better than it is now. Can’t wait to come back into West Seattle and try it out!

  • RW October 16, 2024 (8:36 am)

    Sounds like Luna Park is in goods hands, but I sure hope the new owner really does keep  it true to its diner food origins and will not introduce aspects of his other restaurants. I keep thinking of Kokoras, the former Greek restaurant in the Morgan Street Junction area that I always enjoyed. The new owner intended to keep the Greek menu but also include a completely different cuisine style along with it. As I recall, the new version never got off the ground. Go ahead and fine tune what’s there, and love that there will be extended dinner hours, but no radical changes, please. (Enjoy your retirement, Mr. Bennett. It’s well deserved.)

  • Nola A Nevers October 16, 2024 (5:02 pm)

    Wonderful memories with family and friends over the years and thank you John and your staff for such great times, food, nostalgia and vibes. Enjoy ‘retirement’ however that presents after a 35 year career. Best to you and yours!

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