After nearly two decades operating as Lenny’s American & Italian Fine Cuisine, at 1204 W. First, in Cheney, the restaurant’s new owners have taken the space back to its original roots and launched Lenny’s Classic American Burgers.

The restaurant takes its name from Lenny Martire, who founded Lenny’s Classic American Burgers in the mid-1950s. Allan Gainer, who worked at Lenny’s in the 1980s, and Darlyne Hatten partnered to bring the eatery back following the Italian restaurant’s demise due to COVID-19.

“It’s been a long road to get this project all put together during the pandemic,” he says.

Gainer worked at the restaurant after graduating from Cheney High School and was employed there until early 1986, when he joined the U.S. Navy.

In a case of going “Back to the Future,” Gainer says he still has his original vinyl records he used as a deejay at junior high school dances before entering the Navy.

“We’ll have ’80s music along with my old album’s, 45s, and movie posters decorating the walls,” he says.

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