BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

The Santa Monica Bob Burns Restaurant has met the same fate as its

Newport Beach counterpart -- closed down after more than 30 faithful

years in the community.

The restaurant, at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and 2nd Street, with

its dark wooden walls and good old fashioned comfort food, has been privy

to many a New Year’s kiss and more than a few marriage proposals. The

same was true for the Fashion Island store, which closed its doors Dec.

31, 1998 after its lease with the Irvine Co. ran out.

In the case of the Santa Monica eatery, owner Bonnie Burns, daughter of

restaurant founders Bob and Elizabeth Burns, said the family decided to

sell its property for personal and financial reasons.

The family had hoped to lease back the restaurant. But Bonnie Burns said

she was outbid by Houston’s, a nationwide chain of 37 upscale

restaurants.

A spokeswoman for Houston’s would not confirm the company’s intent to

lease the property, but Bonnie Burns said she has been told she will have

to move in July to make way for the chain.

The only remaining Bob Burns is in Woodland Hills, which is reportedly

also on the brink of closure. Bonnie Burns, 47, said she plans to reopen

the Santa Monica restaurant in another location. But any immediate plans

have been thwarted by tragedy. Her 37-year-old husband recently died of a

heart attack while jogging on the beach.

But, following her family’s tradition of hard work in the face of

adversity, she returned to work soon after her husband’s death.

“We’re Scottish,” she said simply. “We’re workers. That’s what we do.”

-- Deanna Welch