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Denny’s Celebrates an LA Original by Revitalizing Local Landmark
Arcadia Weekly Jun 21, 2016
Mayor Terry Tornek chose to err on the side of caution, opting to seek voter assistance on an issue he described as “fraught with implications and potential … pitfalls.” - Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
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Arcadia’s iconic windmill. – Photo by Terry Miller
Van de Kamp’s Holland Dutch Bakery Windmill in Arcadia Will Turn June 29
By Terry Miller
Denny’s is ready to restart the historic Arcadia windmill that sits atop the restaurant. On the afternoon of Wednesday, June 29, the city will put out all the stops to celebrate this milestone.
The idea was spawned by the car washing guru and former Mayor of Arcadia George Fasching.
The event will be held in Arcadia Park across from the Denny’s with an excellent view of the restaurant and the windmill. Denny’s President and CEO John Miller will be in attendance, along with other members of Denny’s leadership team and Arcadia community leaders including Fasching and Mayor Pro Tem Peter Amundson.
Denny’s is putting a spin on an LA original with the restoration of the historic Van de Kamp Dutch bakery windmill. To commemorate the long-awaited revival, Denny’s is inviting the Arcadia community to join them in a day-long celebration serving up diner favorites at retro prices and a chance to win exclusive prizes.
“As America’s Diner, we’re known for putting a modern spin on all-American classics and offering a unique taste of nostalgia,” said Miller. “As another LA original, Denny’s takes great pride in its heritage and we’re honored to bring the historic windmill back to its former glory and share a slice of local history with our guests.”
Originally built in 1967, the Arcadia windmill sits atop the building’s Googie-style architecture roof, and was designed by Pasadena architects Harold Bissner and Harold Zook.
A former employee of Van De Kamp’s, Sue Herron, contacted us and had this to say:
“I was so pleased to hear that the former Mayor George Fasching was instrumental in getting the windmill over Denny’s restaurant turning again. What a great treasure the city of Arcadia has, it is the only one in the whole state. This makes me very proud.
Former Van de Kamp employee Sue Herron (far right) with fellow co-workers. – Courtesy photo
“The Windmill and Van De Kamp’s restaurant and bakery have a special place in my heart. In 1955 I boarded a train to come to Pasadena to live with my aunt and uncle, while my husband Bob boarded a train to head east to New York, to then get on a troop ship headed to Germany while he served in the United States Army. I went to work for Van De Kamp’s restaurant and bakery located on the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Bonnie Avenue in Pasadena. We wore Dutch girl outfits and I enjoyed looking at the windmill turning each day. I was still working there when my husband returned home to California.
“We have been residents of Arcadia for 40 years and each time I passed by the Iconic Windmill, my memories would turn nostalgic and remember my years working for Van De Kamp’s.”
Denny’s has worked closely with a fabrication company to honor the windmill’s historic style, staying true to the original architecture while incorporating modern finishes. The restaurant has invested more than $100K to recondition the original blades, inserting new motor, and installing LED lighting to illuminate the landmark at night.
Denny’s and the Arcadia community will celebrate the reactivation of the windmill with an official “switch-on” at Arcadia Park, located at the corner of West Huntington Drive and South Santa Anita Avenue, across the street from the Denny’s restaurant.
At 2 p.m., former Arcadia Mayor and a driving force behind the windmill’s revival, George Fasching, will turn on the windmill alongside members of Denny’s leadership team in front of local notables, Arcadia City Council Members, Mayor Pro Tem Amundson, and the public.
“The reactivation of the windmill is not only an exciting day for the residents of Arcadia, but for all of us at Denny’s,” said Joseph Giordano, Denny’s senior director of franchise and company development. “We’ve been a key part of this community for many years, and we couldn’t think of a better way to thank our friends and neighbors for their continued support than with a celebration.”
Denny’s is inviting the Arcadia community to stop by the restaurant on Wednesday, June 29, for an all-day event. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. guests may enjoy delicious diner favorites at throwback prices, including a stack of pancakes for only 99 cents. Denny’s prize wheel will also be spinning all day, offering guests a chance to win celebratory windmill t-shirts and coffee mugs, while kids will have the option to build their own windmill with a limited time activity sheet.
The Arcadia windmill, just like Denny’s, will run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. At any hour, guests may enjoy quality breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night dishes in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere beneath the glow of the spinning windmill.
