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LAKE LINDEN - After roughly two years of being closed, a historic Lake Linden restaurant is alive again.

Lindell's Chocolate Shoppe reopened under new ownership on Dec. 6. Owner Julie David of Lake Linden said she has extensive experience working in restaurants and thought about opening one for many years. She chose Lindell's because of the building itself and its history.

"It's a community center that has so many memories for people," she said. "So many people are happy, they always tell me they're so happy to see this place open again."

The history of Lindell's (a combination of the names Lake Linden and Hubbell) is apparent throughout the building. The names Louis and Grammas, the two men who bought the building for use as a restaurant in 1918, grace the tile entranceway, old inoperable nickelodeons are affixed to each booth and the display cases are filled with old pictures and antiques.

The basement also contains newspaper clippings, pictures and other items stored away. David said she plans on rotating the displays occasionally.

"Already several people have walked in and seen themselves or a relative in the photos," she said.

The menu features ice cream sodas, classic breakfast fare, as well as other lunch and dinner items, with Friday nights being fish fry, she said. A baker, Suzie Monroe, also churns out fresh breads and bakery for the meals.

"All of our bread here is homemade, so all the sandwich buns, bread, all of our baked goods," David said. "Everything here is made from scratch, all the food is definitely homemade."

David said she had not previously publicized the opening because she has been busy tweaking the menu and completing last-minute details.

"I'm still adding things to the menu, finding out what people like the most," she said. "I'm still getting everything running smoothly."

Future plans for the establishment include obtaining a liquor license and fixing an old ice cream maker in the store. David said John Jilbert is helping her with the ice cream and has ordered new parts for the maker.

"A place that produces surgical instruments is manufacturing the parts," she said.

David also plans on doing catering on the second half of the first floor for small parties and receptions.

Lindell's is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. David said she hopes to have the restaurant open for Sunday brunches as well.

For more information, call Lindell's at 296-8083.

Layla Aslani can be reached at laslani@mininggazette.com.