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Bobbi's Could Reopen Before Summer's End

Future owner Bill Dancer hopes to take possession of Bobbi's Coffee Shop next week, but it will be called Bobbie's Cafe.

For those who’ve been hankerin’ for a plate of buttery hash browns, over-easy eggs and crisp bacon served up style your hunger pangs will be sated soon.

“We now have a verbal agreement and working on getting the lease signed. We should be in possession next week to begin the renovations,” says .

Dancer has been diligently trying to sign a lease since shortly after .

A tangled “mess” of legalities held up Dancer who says the next challenge will be to get all the proper permits and county health department concerns addressed.

Planned renovations include new carpet, booths, paint and correcting the handicap access, Dancer says.

“Aesthetically, it will have a facelift, with a renewed atmosphere of a clean venue, great food, friendly staff and pleasant neighborhood hangout,” he says.

All the same staff will return along with the same menu, plus a few new items.

“The menu will remain the same with a cast of new ongoing daily specials to introduce new and experimental dishes. Prices will not change at this time,” he says.

Bobbi’s Coffee Shop, an icon to some in the community, was closed for non-payment of rent by owner Mary Miljarak who owed more than $56,000 in back rent. Miljarak bought the business in 2006 from Sally Carpenter who bought it in 1995 from the original owner, Bobbi Thorne.

Upset by how the business that carries her name had deteriorated over the last couple of years, . Thorne feels the downturn in cleanliness and food quality under Miljarak’s management sullied the sterling reputation she built.

Thorne is also concerned that Dancer will not return the diner to its glory days.

But there are those in the community who say the name Bobbi’s is a fixture and they have only fond memories of delicious food, eat-off-the-floor-clean shop, friendly service, and of the original Bobbi herself.

Everyone will call it Bobbi's and it will sound the same, but Dancer is renaming the diner Bobbie's Cafe.

Dancer, who will run the shop with his mother’s help vows to return Bobbi’s—soon to be Bobbie's—to the same level as he remembers when he ate at the diner when Thorne ran it.

“My mom and I are very excited to take the next step to bring Bobbi's back to the neighborhood. Bobbi's will be better than ever,” he says.

Dancer’s best guess at an re-opening date is Aug. 1.

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Bob M June 7, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Bill & Mom, Good luck, and save me a seat.
Pam Marino June 7, 2012 at 05:03 pm
I'll order those hashbrowns!
Anne Ernst (Editor) June 7, 2012 at 10:02 pm
Bill, you've got some big shoes to fill. Are you up to it?
Bill Dancer June 8, 2012 at 01:56 am
Bob, we thank you so much for your support! Your seat is confirmed "saved."
Hope to meet you soon, Bill and Janet (Mom)
Bill Dancer June 8, 2012 at 01:58 am
Pam,
We will get Bobbie's up and running better than ever as soon as possible! Look forward to meeting you soon. Thank you for your support! Bill and Mom
Bill Dancer June 8, 2012 at 02:00 am
After the last three months, I am up to the challenge! I still get reminded by my partner that "I am still your mother and you do as I say." What could go wrong?
Thank you again Anne! Bill
Bill Dancer June 8, 2012 at 02:20 am
First, I would like to give a BIG shout out to Anne Ernst for he excellent coverage of the developments of bringing Bobbi's back from the ashes!
We are so excited to have this opportunity to bring back a beloved Cupertino landmark. After closing on March 9, 2012 represents the longest period in 42 years that Bobbi's has not been available to the public. My mom Janet and me are so exited to get to work and clean up the coffee shop that will have a different name "Bobbie's Cafe." We will be doing bathroom modifications to have adequate wheelchair access bt widening the doors and modifying the layout for our special needs friends. Next, we will throw some paint, replace the carpets, spruce up the booths or recover them. The kitchen will be renovated with new equipment layout and be reunited by the entire staff from Bobbi's coming back to work with us. Yes, we will have the same great food, better service, more smiling faces and.....the prices will remain the same. More daily specials, the introduction of pies to the menu and some terrific new dishes that you can only get at Bobbie's Cafe. Our priority is to make sure that your visit to Bobbie's Cafe is beyond expectations and that your satisfaction is always achieve. Please stay turned to Cupertino Patch and Anne Ernst to follow our progress until Opening Day! Thank you so much, Janet and Bill Dancer
Robin June 8, 2012 at 02:36 am
I'm with Bill! Anne's reporting certainly gives me 'the inside scoop' and I feel like I'm right in the thick of things. Thank you, Anne!
Tim O June 17, 2012 at 08:24 pm
Glad Bill Dancer is planning to re-open Bobbi's. My wife and I have been going there for more than 15 years. It's laid back vibe and delicious food is too good to have it simply fade away. I'm pleased that Bill is planning to bring back the staff and retain the menu (and prices). "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," as the saying goes...
Linda June 18, 2012 at 08:09 am
Looking forward to bringing the family (and our dog) back when the place reopens!
Kristin Rodrigues July 7, 2012 at 12:44 am
I'm looking forward to eating there as a first timer!!!!!!!
barbara glazis July 7, 2012 at 01:48 am
Hi Bill... Sounds like just the kind of place I like to eat! Looking forward to seeing it re-open and seeing you and Janet! please tell her I said Hi!
Jack Rodgers July 7, 2012 at 10:06 pm
If I know anything about Bill Dancer, with a commitment to excellence and a management style second to none, he will bring style and class to this, the next chapter in an already successful novel. I wish you the greatest success, my friend, and look forward to experiencing your hospitality in the very near future! peut continuer votre succès dans l'avenir! si quelqu'un le mérite, vous le faites! votre père serait fier! longue vie à Bobbie!
Jack R. Chandler, AZ
Anne Ernst (Editor) July 8, 2012 at 02:44 am
Bill Dancer: Cupertino awaits you...or so it seems!
Madeleine Skillen September 30, 2012 at 02:15 pm
Bill and Janet,
I can't wait until Bobbi's reopens, do you have an update on it?? My mother and I ate there nearly everyday when we lived in America in the late 90s and we were both so upset to hear that the cornerstone of our life in Cupertino had been let down. We're coming back to visit soon and Bobbi's is a big part of that! We were wondering if you had an open date in mind. Can't wait to eat there again soon, thank you so much for the work you're doing with it! Good luck and save us a booth! Madeleine
Roger Pickler November 29, 2012 at 12:09 am
And, it will open when?
Linda January 28, 2013 at 12:18 am
It just recently re-opened!!!
Roger Pickler January 28, 2013 at 01:39 am
Thanks! Are there any changes? Is the food still good? Looking forward to seeing the friendly faces. Looking forward to a chocolate shake with breakfast. I wish them the best in their business endeavour.
Linda January 28, 2013 at 02:17 am
We've already been back 2 weekends in a row. Great food, and friendly service!
Anne Ernst (Editor) January 28, 2013 at 02:41 pm
Linda, what's your favorite Bobbie's dish?
Anne Ernst (Editor) January 28, 2013 at 02:42 pm
Roger, a chocolate shake with breakfast?! What's the rest of breakfast look like for you?
Note Article
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