Coco’s Bakery Restaurant, which opened in Corona del Mar in the 1940s, is closing today.
“There’s no place equivalent in town, and it’s especially sad for the older people in town who relied on good prices and close proximity,” said Debbie Johnson, who has been eating at Coco’s for 30 years with her husband, Andrew Johnson.
Rumors had circulated for months that the restaurant would close its location at 3446 East Coast Highway. In December, Corona del Mar Today reported that a Chase Bank branch was going to take over the space and open this spring; read our story here.
The original Coco’s opened in 1948, replacing the Snack Shop in the location that currently is Ruby’s at 2305 East Coast Highway. Last May, another Coco’s closed at Fashion Island.
The Chase branch will join Union Bank, OpusBank, OneWest, Wells Fargo, Citibank, Bank of America and First Republic Bank branches in Corona del Mar, as well as a Farmers & Merchants bank currently under construction.
Pat and Dave Valentine of Big Canyon have been customers for 45 years, visiting about once a week for waffles.
“We’re upset that they are closing,” Dave Valentine said.
“We have enough Chase Banks,” Pat Valentine said. “But not enough Coco’s.”
Read our earlier story here.
Susan Hoffman contributed to this story.
Photos by Susan Hoffman.
