Lynnwood Inn Closed for Business

Last Sunday Jeff + I had lunch at the Lynnwood Inn of North Vancouver – which would be the last day that they were serving.

After being opened for almost 80 years, the Lynnwood is shutting their doors due to the changing demographic in Vancouver’s North Shore + the slow business that has resulted.  It is the last of it’s kind in North Vancouver.  A hotel, a diner + pub in one building.  Frequented by shipbuilders, bridgemakers, longshoremen + fisherman, the Lynnwood was a bona fide blue collar establishment!

Since it was the last day the diner was serving, there were only a few items available that were written on the chalkboard.

And they weren’t kidding either!  The longer we sat in our booth, the faster they started running out of food in the kitchen!

Jeff was in nostalgia hog heaven.  I don’t know what is up with him + his love of nostalgia + ephemera.  For the duration of the meal his eyes were ravaging the interior of the diner + it’s cast of characters, burning their images into his memory bank.  For what?  I don’t know, folks.

A man obsessed.

There were a handful of tiny little white haired senior citizens walking around the diner wistfully, reminiscing on times past.  One couple was taking pictures.  It was making me sad.  There was definitely a feeling of community.  I almost felt a little bit like a voyeur or an intruder.

Jeff’s beef dip sammich.

We finished our meal + wandered around the hotel lobby.  Classic phones.

A great photo of Louise Hudson, a 30 year employee at the Lynnwood.

The lobby was adorned with photos of the Second Narrows Bridge linking North Vancouver to downtown Vancouver.  Also called the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, dedicated to the men who died during construction when part of the bridge collapsed in 1958

It’s a shame that such a historic part of North Vancouver is shutting down.  You can’t find many establishments anymore where so many people hold so much of their life stories in one location.

Of course we discovered it on the last day they were serving!!!  Same goes with The Brave Bull’s House of Steaks on Hastings.  We had drinks there, enjoyed the wacky Western/Chinese themed decor + amiable hostess grandma Linda with her infectious energy!  We vowed to return!  Well guess what?!  They also closed down they day we returned from Calgary!!!

GRRRRR!!!!  Madness + lunacy!!!  If anyone knows of any old, authentic diners with quirky + lovable characters (hipster establishments need not apply!!!) in Vancouver, please let us know!  Jeff + I are now on a mission!  Lynnwood Inn, rest in peace.