Very few brands last 140 years. It’s actually hard to envision that many years, because no person alive today was also alive in 1896.

In fact, 140 years ago, none of the following things existed.

  • Credit cards
  • Air conditioning
  • Television
  • Fast food
  • Refrigerators
  • Cars

It’s a really small world when you have to rely on your feet, or if you were well off, a horse to get where you might be going.

Very few businesses and brands, and fewer than a dozen U.S. restaurants, trace their origins back to the 1800s. One of those historic eateries, the so-called “DIner to the Stars,” the Original Saugus Cafe in Newhall, the oldest community in the Santa Clarita Valley north of Los Angeles, will close its doors forever on Jan. 4.

Original Saugus Cafe had a storied history

“The oldest operating restaurant in Los Angeles County once served President Benjamin Harrison on a reelection campaign stop in 1891. Teddy Roosevelt later dug into a New York steak at the diner in 1903. And over its legendary 139-year run, it even became a destination for Old Hollywood stars like Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks,” SFGate reported on Yahoo.

The eatery’s longevity was helped by its classic menu, which features a classic American menu. Its offerings have changed mildly over the years, but the core menu offers eggs, pancakes, bacon, coffee, and other staples of the American diet.

Saugus Cafe’s owners did not really explain the shutdown, but they did post a note on their Facebook page.

“For 139 years, Saugus Café has been more than just a restaurant. It has been a place where memories were made, stories were shared and generations came together. We are truly honored to have served this community for so long,” it shared.

“This decision was not made lightly, and it comes with heartfelt appreciation for everyone who walked through our doors, supported our staff and made this café what it was,” the announcement continued.

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Jessie Ponce, whose father, Alfredo, owns and cooks at the eatery, told NBC Los Angeles she and her family would like to thank their clientele.

“It warms my heart because I see people in the morning literally crying, saying, ‘It’s my last meal here,’ and I have to literally hold back my tears because it’s an all-day kind of thing,” said Ponce, who also manages the restaurant.

Diners offer a familiar menu, which has helped them have longevity.

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Most restaurants have a lifespan

Historic restaurants only survive if they keep up standards, which, when time is measured in generations, becomes very difficult.

Where I grew up, north of Boston, we lived near a famous steakhouse, The Hilltop, which was founded in 1961. It was an affordable destination restaurant where people celebrated events, and I attended yearly summer camp reunions.

Over the years, the quality slowly slipped, and by the final time I ate there, inferior steaks were served on styrofoam plates.

It was a slow decline, but a steady and noticeable one.

Original Saugus Cafe Timeline (with sources)

  • 1886: Origin as Saugus Eating House: The restaurant opened at the north end of the Saugus train depot as the Saugus Eating House soon after the San Fernando train tunnel and depot were built, serving rail passengers and workers, according to La Almanac
  • 1899: Renamed Saugus Cafe: Brothers Richard R. and Martin Wood took over and changed the name to Saugus Cafe, establishing the identity that would last for more than a century, shared Secret Angeles.
  • 1916: Moved to current location: The restaurant relocated across the street from the original depot to what would become its long-term location on Railroad Avenue in Santa Clarita, reflecting the town’s growth, reported Eater LA.
  • 1943: First temporary closure: The cafe closed during World War II due to financial strain but reopened about a year later under different ownership, beginning a pattern of resilience, added La Almanac.
  • 1983: Short-lived closure: Saugus Cafe experienced another temporary shutdown before reopening under new stewardship, demonstrating its enduring local importance, according to SFGATE.
  • 1916-2025: Hollywood and presidential patrons: Over its run, the cafe hosted visitors including Presidents Benjamin Harrison (1891) and Theodore Roosevelt (1903) and countless Hollywood figures like Charlie Chaplin and John Wayne, cementing its cultural significance, reported La Almanac.
  • January 4, 2026: Final closure: After 139 years of operation, the Original Saugus Cafe is set to permanently close its doors on January 4, 2026, marking the end of the longest-operating restaurant in Los Angeles County, added SFGATE.

U.S. Restaurants over 125 years old

  • Union Oyster House (Boston, MA): One of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in the United States, open since 1826. Union Oyster House
  • Antoine’s Restaurant (New Orleans, LA): Established in 1840 and still family-run, known for French-Creole cuisine and birthplace of classic dishes like Oysters Rockefeller. Antoine’s Restaurant
  • Delmonico’s Restaurant (New York, NY): Founded in 1837; one of the earliest fine-dining institutions in the country (history and official site included). Delmonico’s
  • Peter Luger Steak House (Brooklyn, NY): A Brooklyn steakhouse in continuous operation since 1887 and a classic institution. Peter Luger Steak House
  • Keens Steakhouse (New York, NY): Operating since 1885, known for its historic “Pipe Room” and steakhouse tradition. Keens

“The numbers tell a harsh story. Sixty percent of restaurants close within their first three years, with most failures happening in year one. But here’s what those statistics don’t reveal: the majority of these failures aren’t because the concept was wrong. They fail because operators lose faith in their vision too quickly, making panicked changes that turn potential success into certain failure,” hospitality expert Marcus Treamer shared on his website.

He shared one secret to longevity.

“Industry veterans who’ve survived decades in hospitality share a common trait: they understood from the beginning that building a successful restaurant takes time. Not weeks or months, but years,” he added.

Related: Huge restaurant industry brand files Chapter 11 as lawsuits mount