Pulling up the Arches

Alicia Robinson

MARINER’S MILE -- Although this Newport Beach restaurant and arguable

landmark will close in a few short years, the Arches won’t be falling

for good.

Dan Marcheano, who has owned the Arches since 1982, has announced

plans to open a new, bigger restaurant called the Arches Grill within

a year, but he is still finalizing the location. He’ll keep the

original West Coast Highway restaurant open until his lease expires

in three years.

“We’re going to move,” Marcheano said. “You can chisel that in

stone. Where are we going to move, that’s still up in the air.”

He’d like to stay in Newport Beach and is talking with the Irvine

Co. about a few locations, but he has also had offers in Huntington

Beach and San Clemente, he said.

The new restaurant will seat about 275 people, compared with the

120 seats at the existing restaurant. Marcheano expects to more than

double his staff and add at least 120 menu items to the already

staggering 350 choices he offers.

With a history stretching back to 1922, the Arches was the first

restaurant in Newport Beach to get a liquor license. It has served

the likes of Humphrey Bogart and still caters to the family of the

late John Wayne, Marcheano said.

Once it shuts its doors, the Arches will be the latest in a string

of restaurants along Mariner’s Mile to close in the last several

years. Others that have shut down include Windows on the Bay and

Aysia 101.

Several factors led to those restaurants closing, Newport Beach

Asst. City Manager Sharon Wood said.

The difficulty of making left turns on West Coast Highway and

parking availability can be issues for restaurants, and the shaky

economy is also part of the mix, she said.

In other cases, property owners may have development plans that

don’t include restaurants. Marcheano said he’s heard his landlord may

redevelop the property, but that didn’t play into his decision to

move.

“I just know where I’m at right now, this building has been here

forever,” he said. “It’s tired. We’ve outgrown it. ... I wouldn’t

have that much interest if [the landlord] said ‘Stay here.’”

Lack of space caused Marcheano to turn down at least 60 requests

for banquets just this month, he said.

“You can’t give up that kind of revenue,” he said.

Right now it’s hard to say who might move in after the Arches

leaves, Newport Beach Restaurant Assn. spokeswoman Peggy Fort said.

Marcheano will be missed in Mariner’s Mile, she said.

“He’s got a very loyal following and we’ll all be sad to see the

Arches go,” she said.