If some New Hampshire traveler just stumbled into Marblehead, Mass., on Tuesday, he may have mistaken the tony seaside town for hardscrabble Manchester, N.H.

Walking along Marblehead streets, he would likely have caught sight of one of the most famous living natives of Manchester — Hollywood star Adam Sandler.

And Sandler would be hanging out in front of Manchester's landmark eatery — the Red Arrow Diner. All in Marblehead.

Marblehead serves as the location for “Grown Ups 2,” a film under production by Sony Pictures and Sandler's Happy Madison Productions. Producers recreated The Red Arrow, or at least the facade of the diner, for scenes shot Tuesday.

“It's hard to believe,” said George Lawrence, vice president and co-owner of the Lowell Street restaurant. “You go to Marblehead, Massachusetts, you walk around the city and — what the heck — The Red Arrow?”

Red awnings and windows sported the friendly-faced Red Arrow coffee-cup logo. The diner's neon-lighted clock was brought in from the Milford Red Arrow.

And the interior, which is only spied from outside camera shots, featured red blinds and curtains, white tables, red chairs, Red Arrow salt and pepper shakers, even the eatery's signature finger cakes.

“We're honored to be in it,” said Amanda Wihby. A Red Arrow employee, she went to Marblehead with Lawrence and Carol Sheehan, president of the Red Arrow.

Wihby credits Sandler with all the Red Arrow attention. The blockbuster actor often likes to sneak references of his roots — such as a Central High School jersey — into his movies. In fact, Red Arrow made a brief appearance in an earlier Sandler movie, “Eight Crazy Nights.”

Of course, The Red Arrow returns the favor. The diner's menu features Adam Sandler's Favorite, a grilled steakburger with lettuce, tomato, raw onion and mayonnaise.

And Stan the Man's Favorite is an egg, bacon and toast dish named in honor of Sandler's father.

“Growns Ups 2” is a sequel to “Grown Ups,” a popular 2010 comedy about a reunion of high school friends at a New England camp.

Scheduled for release in July 2013, the sequel will feature many of the actors from the original film, including “Saturday Night Live” alumni Sandler, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, David Spade and Maya Rudolph.

The timing couldn't be better for The Red Arrow.

The company is offering franchises, and it is avidly looking for another location, Lawrence said.

If the timing works out, a grand opening for a third or fourth Red Arrow could coincide with next summer's release of the movie, Lawrence said.

“That Red Arrow name, right there in the movie, is a big feather in our cap,” he said.

On Tuesday, Wihby said she saw Sandler, Rock and Salma Hayek on the set.

She and Sheehan's 17-year-old son, Tyler Isabelle, landed roles as extras in the film. They sat inside the restaurant as the main action took place on the street.

“It's amazing,” she said, “what goes into one scene.”

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Mark Hayward may be reached at mhayward@unionleader.com.