A Counter Reclaimed: Woolworth’s Reopens in Bakersfield With a Message of Unity

On Saturday October 25h, the community gathered not just to celebrate the grand reopening of a historic downtown building, but to reflect on the journey that brought us here. The Woolworth Building, home to the last standing Woolworth lunch counter in the United States, reopened its doors with music, memory, and a message: the past may have been divided, but the future is ours to share.

By James C. Luckey, Jr. Publisher/Editor | Bakersfield News Observer

(Bakersfield, Ca.) — On Saturday October 25h, the community gathered not just to celebrate the grand reopening of a historic downtown building, but to reflect on the journey that brought us here. The Woolworth Building, home to the last standing Woolworth lunch counter in the United States, reopened its doors with music, memory, and a message: the past may have been divided, but the future is ours to share.

A look inside the restored Woolworth’s Luncheonette in downtown Bakersfield, captured before the grand reopening. The painting on the back wall—a vibrant portrait of Black youth at a lunch counter—serves as a powerful nod to the Civil Rights era, while midcentury design details like red stools, chrome trim, and terrazzo floors reflect the space’s preserved history. (Photo Courtesy of Woolworth’s Bakersfield)

Once a symbol of exclusion, Woolworth’s lunch counters are infamous for denying service to Black patrons during segregation. Though Bakersfield’s location didn’t make national headlines like Greensboro, North Carolina it was still part of that broader reality. For Black residents, these places weren’t just lunch counters—they were reminders of where they were not welcome. That’s what makes this moment so powerful.

“This building is our love letter to Bakersfield. That’s not just a phrase—it truly is how we feel,” said co-owner Emily Waite, who reopened the building with her husband Sherod. “We were both born and raised here, went to school here, raised our three boys here. Bakersfield has given us so much, and this project is our way of giving something back—especially to downtown.”

Attendees line up outside the historic Woolworth’s Luncheonette to enjoy classic diner fare—burgers, fries, and ice cream cones—served during the grand reopening celebration in downtown Bakersfield. The scene reflected both nostalgia and new community energy. (Photo: OGNSC Staff)

The building has been carefully restored, with original features like the terrazzo floors, signage, and lunch counter intact. But its purpose has changed. What was once a segregated space is now open to all, home to a Luncheonette, Reverb Coffee, and a downstairs event venue.

“Our hope is that this space becomes a vibrant place for creativity, connection, and community,” Emily said. “A meaningful life is one where you give back to the place you call home. That’s what we hope people do here.”

The grand opening was more than a ribbon-cutting. The streets were filled with music, spoken word, food, and the voices of community leaders who reminded us how history lives in our neighborhoods.

Mayor Karen Goh and Councilmember Andrae Gonzales both offered remarks during the ceremony, speaking to the importance of historic preservation, civic pride, and inclusive progress in downtown Bakersfield.

A look inside the restored Woolworth’s Luncheonette in downtown Bakersfield, captured before the grand reopening. The painting on the back wall—a vibrant portrait of Black youth at a lunch counter—serves as a powerful nod to the Civil Rights era, while midcentury design details like red stools, chrome trim, and terrazzo floors reflect the space’s preserved history. (Photo Courtesy of Woolworth’s Bakersfield)

Dr. Gregory Tatum, pastor of Change Community Church, gave moving remarks that tied Woolworth’s history to the national civil rights struggle.

“Sixty-five years ago, four courageous Black college students staged a peaceful sit-in at the Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina,” he told the crowd. “They were not allowed to sit with white customers—but they stood up for justice by sitting down.”

He continued: “This was the birth of SNCC—the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The late Congressman John Lewis called it ‘good trouble.’ That movement helped reshape America.”

Dr. Tatum reminded the crowd that the fight for justice didn’t start—or end—with lunch counters. “To understand how we became so divided, you have to look back to 1896—Plessy v. Ferguson—and the idea of ‘separate but equal.’ That’s what we were fighting. And through struggle and faith, those walls came down.”

“Praise God, we are no longer divided like that,” he said. “We are all God’s people. And today, this building—right here in Bakersfield—is being reborn not in division, but in unity.”

And that’s what Saturday felt like: unity. The celebration opened with a powerful performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by the Community Choir, directed by James Tyson. The choir featured singers from Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, St. John Baptist Church, the MLKCommUNITY Initiative, and Stockdale High School. Their voices soared through the streets, grounding the moment in both reverence and pride.

Spoken word artist Keyne D’Var took the stage with a gripping original piece that channeled generations of struggle, resilience, and transformation. His words echoed through downtown with raw emotion and lyrical power—reminding the crowd that history is not just remembered, it’s felt. with raw emotion and lyrical power—reminding the crowd that history is not just remembered, it’s felt. His poem served as a bridge between the Woolworth Building’s past and the community’s vision for its future. between the Woolworth Building’s past and the community’s vision for its future.

From gospel choirs to folklórico dancers, local vendors to vintage booths, every corner of the event radiated local pride. It was Bakersfield at its best—rooted in truth, open to all, and looking forward together.

As the last notes of music echoed down 19th Street and families lingered around the historic counter, one thing was clear: this isn’t just a reopening. It’s a reclamation.

Welcome back, Woolworth’s. This time, everyone gets a seat.