Elmer's Restaurant has opened a new location next to Valley River Center, in the former home of McGrath's Fish House.

Thomason Hospitality Group, owned by Grants Pass restaurateur Dave Thomason, remodeled the building at 1036 Valley River Way. The restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. It will have a staff of 75 employees.

The Eugene Elmer's opened on Monday, said Jason VanDusen, director of marketing for Thomason Hospitality Group.

Elmer's has more than two dozen locations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California, including a restaurant at 3350 Gateway St. near The Shoppes at Gateway.

McGrath's closed in September, ending a nearly 30-year run at the Eugene location. John McGrath — owner of the Salem-based restaurant chain with seven locations in Oregon, Washington and Idaho — said at the time that declining sales and increasing employee wages led to the closure. The Eugene McGrath's, long known for its red neon fish sign and seafood-focused menu, had a staff of 40 employees. It opened in 1990 near Delta Highway.

Thomason and his wife, Doneta, have owned and operated more than 60 restaurants in Oregon and northern California since 1985. The list includes Human Bean Coffee, Pita Pit and Carl's Jr locations. Thomason Hospitality Group is the largest Elmer's franchisee with six Oregon restaurants and more than 600 employees combined.

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