The Riptide restaurant, a Sequim landmark, is reopening as the Islander Pizza & Pasta Shack.

Ken Cram and Debbie Seavy, owners of Oasis Sports Bar & Grill, are hoping to open the diner April 1.

"The Riptide is an icon - it's been here forever," Seavy said.

"Tailgate Pizza Company (and Christopher's Steak House) didn't work but hopefully we can make this work for us."

Seavy and Cram purchased the building and property Jan. 30.

The restaurant will cater to families and offer a game room for children, Seavy said.

"I think they need a good pizza place and a place to take the kids," Seavy said about Sequim.

The much-loved bar, Seavy said, will stay intact separate from the family dining area.

Business hours are planned for 11 a.m.-7 p.m., seven days a week.

Jesse Kincheloe, an employee at Oasis Sports Bar & Grill with experience working in five-star restaurants, will serve as the sous chef.

Owners Carol and Lee Adams closed the Riptide in April 2007 to "move on and do something else."

The couple purchased the restaurant as Traylor's in 1989. In 1996, they changed the name to the Riptide. But the building served as a community-gathering place since at least the 1950s, starting out as Cal's.

Tailgate Pizza Company and Christopher's Steak House moved into the 380 E. Washington St. location in early August 2007.

Lynda and Don Buck relocated Tailgate Pizza Company from the Bell Creek Plaza where it opened in 2004. McBride relocated from Seattle to open the restaurant together with his parents.

After less than three months, both businesses shut down. According to Don Buck, money became an issue and played a large part in the family's decision to close down.

The building has been empty since.

Ashley Miller can be reached at ashleyo@sequimgazette.com.