A historic Southern California cafe, established nearly 140 years ago in the Santa Clarita Valley, reopened Monday after what was initially thought to be a permanent closure earlier this month.
Long considered the oldest cafe in Los Angeles County, the Saugus Cafe first opened in 1886 and is now operating under new owner Eduardo Reyna, with doors opening at 5 a.m.
“I’m so happy,” Reyna said after serving his first customer within minutes of reopening.
Generations of families have enjoyed homestyle cooking at the beloved cafe.
New Saugus Cafe owner Eduardo Reyna is seen as the restaurant reopens on Jan. 19, 2026. (KTLA)
The Saugus Cafe in the Santa Clarita Valley is seen in this file image. (KTLA)
“It feels like being back home,” said Michaela, a staff member who has worked at Saugus Cafe for 25 years. “Hopefully we’ll get the same customers back and new ones.”
The cafe had closed under its previous ownership on Jan. 4 and was not expected to reopen. But after two weeks of interior renovations, cleaning, and repainting, it is now back in business, according to KHTS radio, which posted video of the work.
Saugus Cafe is located at 25861 Railroad Ave. in Santa Clarita.