Owning a restaurant wasn’t something Denise Lund ever dreamed about growing up, but when she and her brother stumbled upon the opportunity, she found a job she really loves.
“It just kind of happened,” Lund said.
Her brother Denny had an entrepreneurial spirit and was always searching for the right opportunity to start up a business. One day, while riding their bikes along the eastern edge of Alamitos Bay Marina, they found what Denny was looking for in a cozy, classic cafe overlooking the rows of boats docked nearby.
The pair bought what was then called The Little Ship’s Galley, fixed it up and reopened it in 1985 as Schooner or Later.
Decades later, Schooner or Later remains a popular brunch staple. Later this month — with an exact date to be determined — the restaurant will celebrate its 40th anniversary. There will be a balloon arch out front and some games with prizes throughout the day, but it will otherwise just be a normal day of serving the restaurant’s diner classics, Lund said.
“I’m not closing down, having a party or anything like that. I just want it to be a regular day that just kind of brings people in to be a part of it,” Lund said.
Schooner or Later has been open nearly every day for the past 40 years, only closing on Christmas and — until this past year — Thanksgiving.
Lund has been there through all of it and has always been very hands-on. After her brother’s death last year, Lund became the sole owner and has no plans of leaving anytime soon.
“This is my life. This is my passion,” she said.
Lund’s favorite part is connecting with people and seeing how Schooner or Later has become a real place of joy for so many.
“I used to say people are thinking, ‘Oh, should we go to Disneyland today, or Schooner or Later?’ They’re both the happiest place to be for a lot of people,” Lund said. “If we weren’t here, what would they do with their Sunday afternoons?”
Schooner or Later brings people from all over and can often have wait times of up to an hour during peak business hours, Lund said. Its homey lunch and breakfast fare was even featured on an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” which highlighted some of the most popular menu items including “The Mess” — an egg scramble with ham, bell peppers, onions, potatoes and cheese — the Belgian waffle, and the turkey and ham club sandwich.
Though people come for the food, the positive atmosphere is really what keeps them coming back, Lund said.
“I think we have a vibe that people really like,” she said. “I always said that we were like the place you would go [for breakfast] after you went out the night before.”
For those who don’t have time to fully commit to getting breakfast at a busy restaurant like Schooner or Later, a small coffee stand called The Little Later will be reopening in front of the main restaurant this weekend to serve coffee and small pastries to customers on the go.
Lund cares deeply for all her customers and the community, and she gives back to the city whenever they can, including supporting Cal State Long Beach for several years.
“We do care 100% at all times,” Lund said.
With their long-standing community involvement, Schooner or Later just received a Legacy Business certification from the city. To qualify for a Legacy Business certification, a business needs to contribute to a sense of history in the neighborhood, have distinctive features, support the neighborhood’s culture, or actively work to improve the community. As of October 2024, there were 40 Legacy businesses in Long Beach.
Lund hopes to apply for a historical designation soon as well to help preserve the restaurant’s 65-year-old building.
Schooner or Later, 241 Marina Drive, is open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.