A Look Back: 1922 - Pages turning for landmark restaurant

A Newport Beach institution since 1922, the landmark eatery the Arches closed its doors last weekend.

The restaurant and adjacent gas station were built on the corner of West Coast Highway and Old Newport Boulevard near the bridge that connects the Balboa Peninsula to the mainland. The original design of the restaurant featured a series of tall arches, but the eatery was rebuilt after a fire in the 1940s.

In its first incarnation, the Arches was a sandwich shop that had slot machines when gambling was legal in Newport Beach.

During prohibition, the eatery would get hard liquor straight off the rum runner’s boats that came into Newport Harbor.

Old Hollywood greats including Gary Cooper, Shirley Temple and John Wayne all once dined at the Arches. Bob Hope and Humphrey Bogart also are among the many Hollywood legends who once ate there, according to local lore.

Restaurateur Dan Marcheano, who has owned the Arches since 1982, has frequently used the eatery to raise funds for local charities, and to support the U.S. Marine Corps. Marcheano himself is a Marine.

After more than 80 years in the same location, Marcheano decided to move the Arches to a new spot in Cannery Village in July 2007.

The old Arches building still stands, and is now home to A Restaurant, which is partially owned by film and television producer McG.

In October 2007, Marcheano expanded the Arches to a second location a few doors down the street. He hoped that Arches on the Water, 2816 Lafayette St., would lure people in with waterfront dining. Boaters could park their yachts at the restaurant and order take out meals.

But the new eatery never caught on with local diners. Arches on the Water closed in late 2008.

After just two and half years at its Cannery Village location, the Arches closed its doors. Marcheano claims a dispute with Newport Beach over a use permit for the restaurant bar is what closed the place, but local officials say the eatery has a valid permit.

Marcheano has said he will reopen the Arches in another location, but has not said where.