Black Bear Diner opens its doors in Carson City on Wednesday.
The chain restaurant located inside Max Casino is now open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday.
The diner offers a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu available all day.
A “soft” opening for invited guests was held Tuesday from 10 a.m. to about 2 p.m.
“It’s such a boost for our economy,” said Jean Perpich, business specialist, Wells Fargo bank, who was waiting for her breakfast order to arrive.
“People coming to do banking have gotten a job here,” said Hellen Barclay, district manager at Wells Fargo, who ordered corned beef. “The stronger Black Bear gets the stronger the bank gets.”
The restaurant is employing about 90 people, said Lee Kennedy, general manager, Max Casino, which were hired at a job fair in April.
The diner, which replaces the 25 year-old Carson Station restaurant, underwent extensive rehab and now seats 183 people.
BDR Construction, Gardnerville, did the six-week remodel and ABC Heating & Sheet Metal, Carson City, did the stainless steel work used in the open kitchen.
It features everything the Black Bear Diner is known for, including large portions, a jukebox, gift sales and lots of carved wood.
A three-car wooden train adorns the window outside the restaurant’s atrium as do carved bears of varying sizes throughout.
Raymond Schulz, a Washington artist, does all of Black Bear’s wood carving by hand, said Kennedy.
The casino/hotel also recently remodeled its front desk, after upgrading its hotel rooms, replacing the casino carpet, and adding about 53 slots.
Next up for a makeover is the snack bar and bar in the back, said Kennedy.
Black Bear Diner is located at 900 S. Carson St.
