But Stan Nowak, chair of the Dundas Historical Society, isn’t worried about the loss of a local landmark which hasn’t served a meal for over 30 years but played host to dozens of film productions.

“It’s sad to see it will be history, but before 1940 it was something else,” Mr. Nowak said.

He hopes the change will provide an opportunity to return the building’s façade closer to its original 1871 appearance, when it was the Red Lion Hotel, which Mr. Nowak said, would be more fitting with the surrounding heritage buildings of downtown Dundas.

Sore thumb

“I’d love to see it restored to what it was like before. It sticks out like a sore thumb,” Mr. Nowak said.

“It does have sentimental value. A great compromise would be to keep some element of the DeLuxe, to pay tribute to (original owners Sue and Du Wong). That was a big part of (the building’s) history.”

And that appears to be part of the new operator’s plan. Thailand native Teeradech Pramauntanyatath –better known to all as Neil –said he plans to keep some old elements of the DeLuxe Restaurant, including photos on the walls.

He also hopes to keep the original DeLuxe sign that overhangs the sidewalk, but is seeking permission from the city to remove it for cleaning and then re-hang it.

It’s not clear if the sign will be allowed to stay.

Mr. Pramauntanyatath told the Dundas Star News the interior will be modernized, and look similar to his Toronto restaurant Bangkok Spoon on Danforth Avenue, which he has operated since January, 2008.

“I would like to expand my business,” Mr. Pramauntanyatath said. “I went to London, Guelph, many places.”

A visit to Ancaster led him to Dundas and the empty DeLuxe Restaurant downtown.

“I feel the town is very nice and there is no Thai restaurant. In that town, I think I might have a good future there.”

He is leasing the restaurant from the Wongs’ grandson and co-owner of the building, John Paul Yuen.

Mr. Pramauntanyatath said he hopes to open the “Bangkok Spoon Deluxe,” with the original name incorporated into the new one, in early October. But there’s still much work to do.

City staff say the renovations will require a building permit and no application has yet been made.

City spokesperson Debbie Spence could not confirm if a required restaurant establishment licence has been applied for, but that process includes inspections and reviews by several city departments, including public health, fire, building and parking.

“It takes approximately two to three weeks to process a business licence, pending all necessary approvals,” Ms. Spence said. “They should be aware a building permit is needed if they want to change anything.”

The property’s current zoning permits a restaurant, so no public rezoning process is necessary.

Ms. Spence said a building inspector has been made aware of the expected project at the DeLuxe.

The central Dundas landmark at 57 King St. W. has attracted plenty of interest since it was closed by Mrs. Wong in the late 1970s on the death of her husband Du. While the restaurant stopped serving meals it remained unaltered for the next 30 years, a time capsule of Valley Town memories.

Just a few moths after Mrs. Wong died in 2004 her grandson John Paul Yuen began entertaining requests from filmmakers interested in using the period diner as a television and movie set.

The first big film shoot at the DeLuxe was the December 2004 visit by the cast and crew of The West Wing. Actors Jimmy Smits and Bradley Whitford appeared, and producer-director Chris Misiano told the Dundas Star News he recognized the significance of filming in the historic diner.

“Being able to film here, after it’s been closed for years, is amazing,” Mr. Misiano said in an interview.

Other stars that filmed scenes in the downtown Dundas diner were Robin Williams (Man of the Year), Jennifer Gray (Road to Christmas), Megan Follows (Booky’s Mark, Booky and the Secret Santa), Molly Ringwald (American Girl), Ed Norton and Liv Tyler (Incredible Hulk) and Richard Attenborough (Closing the Ring).

Dundas resident Adriana Romkes designed T-shirts featuring the DeLuxe before Mrs. Wong died, and later helped Mr. Yuen clean, sort and count each piece of restaurant glassware, cookware, flatware, lamps, mirrors, tables and other items.

“I’m curious to see what will be auctioned off,” Ms. Romkes said. “Of course I’d like to see the DeLuxe reopen as it was, with all that nostalgia, but this is 2009 and everything has to meet modern standards.”

Auctioneer Jim McCartney said everything, including the wooden booths and soda fountain stools, will be sold. Only mini-juke boxes attached to the wall at each table won’t be sold because they are leased to the building’s owner, and the sign because the new operator hopes to use it. It’s not clear what will happen to the juke boxes.

Mr. Nowak hopes the Dundas museum is able to purchase a few items next week and preserve them for posterity.

David Cuming, senior manager of the city’s heritage and urban design department, said heritage planners won’t review any planned changes to the DeLuxe façade or interior because it is not designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. The former restaurant is included in the city’s Inventory of Buildings of Historic and Architectural Significance.

“The interior is a bit of a period piece,” Mr. Cuming said. “It certainly speaks to a different time. I would believe it would be of potential heritage value.”

The auction of DeLuxe Restaurant contents will begin Monday, July 13 at approximately 6 p. m. Public viewing will take place starting at 3 p. m.

A website for Bangkok Spoon, owned by the DeLuxe’s new operator, shows what he plans for the new restaurant’s interior. ( www.bangkokspoon.com ).