The hours-long lines that stretched down Huntington Beach’s pier for the iconic restaurant’s final days in 2021 showed just how beloved the Ruby’s Diner was; and now people can own a piece of its history.

The bright-red tiles were saved after a recent re-roofing and are being sold as a fundraiser for several local nonprofits.

Visit Huntington Beach, as part of its “Show Your HB Love” campaign, commissioned local artist Melissa Murphy, known around town as Melissa Murals, to add a personal touch to the tiles. The hand-painted art features the pier, the building at its end and a peeling left-hand wave in the foreground.

There are a limited number of tiles for the fundraiser and they will be available for $250 on Visit Huntington Beach’s online gift shop starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 23. The profits will be going to the Bolsa Chica Conservancy, Huntington Beach Art Center, Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum, Surfrider Foundation North Orange County and the Therapeutic Riding Center of Huntington Beach.

Murphy came across the tiles when she did a mural in a short-lived restaurant that popped up after Ruby’s shut down, Bud & Genes, named after early-era lifeguards. A storm hit and the roof needed to be replaced, so when she saw the tiles in a box headed for the trash bin, she asked the project manager if she could have them instead.

She came up with the idea to paint art on them and sell them for a cause, teaming up with Visit Huntington Beach.

“If you grew up here as a kid, everybody loves Ruby’s,” she said. “It’s cool to be a part of it.”

Buyers can opt to chose which nonprofit organization their proceeds will benefit.  Visit Huntington Beach will make the donation in the purchaser’s name within 30 business days.

“The roof tiles are a historic piece of the Huntington Beach Pier, and we’re excited to share them with the community while also supporting local nonprofits,” Visit Huntington Beach CEO Kelly Miller said in an announcement.

Murphy’s surf-and-beach themed art can be seen throughout Huntington Beach, including murals at Surf City Liquor and Pacific City, and in other coastal towns, including San Clemente.

The restaurant building at the end of the pier is now home to Broad Street Oyster Company,  and the roof is now made of sheet metal.

Tiles will be available for purchase at shopsurfcityusa.com.  Due to the delicate nature of the tiles, they will need to be picked up in-person at the Visit Huntington Beach office.

Related Articles