In the News - Harley's Diner

Harley's Diner
Photo by flickr pro msmail and appears here
under Creative Commons

update: 2/5/2010 This article was originally posted back on December 20, 2008.

The Diner is expected to reopen as Little Richards Diner on March 1st, under the ownership of Ed and Ann Richards. Read the entire Fairbanks Daily News Miner article. See additional flickr pictures here.

12/20/2008
Harley's Diner MC was designed for the extremes of North Pole, Alaska. It's comprised of three modules built in 2007 by Frey-Moss Structures of Atlanta, Georgia. Jan Thacker, writing for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports current economic conditions, not the weather has closed it for the winter. It's expected to reopen spring 2009.


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Currently Closed
Harley's Diner MC
2698 Hurst Rd.
North Pole, AK
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In the News - Victory Diner

It was in August of 2007 that the Victory Diner left its Richmond Road home. The diner has since been in storage at a parks department office near Father Capadanno Boulevard on Staten Island, New York. Back then it was thought the diner would reopen spring 2009.

Bree Driscoll with NY1 reported the diner will be part of a $10 million project at Midland Beach. If things go as planned, they could get started during the summer and be complete about a year later. We'll post more information as it becomes available.


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In the News - Forest Diner

The Forest Diner was the subject of today's article by Jennifer Choi and Derek Simmonsen. In that Howard County Times article, they wrote about the changes facing a business that's been in Ellicott City, Maryland for over half a century.

Although the financial transaction took place back in August 2008, some of the details were made public in today's article. Owner of the Forest Diner, Will Reich sold the property to developers. Conditions in the agreement should keep the diner open for the next four and one-half years.


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Forest Diner
10031 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD
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In the News - Former Farmington Diner

Former Farmington Diner,
© 2008 DinerHistory.com file photo

Opinion

Ann Bryant has written again about the former Farmington Diner. Her article appears in today's Sun Journal.

After having been downtown Farmington, Maine since the 1960s, development forced its removal the end of March 2008. Rachel Jackson-Hodgdon stepped forward in an effort to prevent the diner from being demolished. Just about eleven months later and now the Wilton town officials want to know what she plans to do with the diner.

We made some observations during our August of 2008 visit. The diner currently sits on Cemetery Road out of sight of Route 2. The picture above was taken while standing about 150' from the diner. The only houses we recall seeing were one to the left of the diner and one behind us. Cemetery Road appeared to be a narrow infrequently traveled country road lined with deciduous trees.

Perhaps its time for the vocal opponents to step up to the plate. Getting this diner back into service is a challenge, one which requires serious financial commitments. We've included contact information for Ms. Jackson-Hodgdon below.

As we receive information about this project, we'll post it here.


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Rachel Jackson-Hodgdon
Socially Important Project
P.O. Box 126
East Wilton, ME 04234
thefarmingtondiner@yahoo.com

Closed
Farmington Diner
Cemetery Road
Wilton, ME
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In the News - Jerry's Diner

Kent Diner
Photo by flickr pro planetschwa
and appears here under Creative
Commons

The former Jerry's Diner, once located in Kent, Ohio was in the news again. Our blog entry from December 22, updated our readers on Mike Zenone's restoration project. At that time he had removed a portion of the structure.

What you see in the picture at left, is no longer. Ravenna Record-Courier writer Steph Krell briefly noted it was torn down yesterday.


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A Look Back on February 4th

Over the years, today was a busy day for diner news. We've posted some of the news summaries in this column.

2/4/2001
Peter Mandel a Boston Globe reporter, wrote about the Modern Diner, a vintage Sterling diner in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

2/4/2001
Peter Mandel wrote another article for the Boston Globe. His article talked about his visit to the Silver Top Diner in Providence, Rhode Island.

The diner was moved to Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 2002 and hasn't reopened.

2/4/2001
Charles Osgood, for his television program, "CBS News Sunday Morning" talks about his visit to Tommy's Deluxe Diner, in Middletown, Rhode Island.

Tommy's closed in 2006. About two years later it reopened as the Road Island Diner in Oakley, Utah.


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In the News - Star Diner

After many years of anticipation, we can now report the Star Diner in Rumford, RI quietly opened yesterday. The Providence Journal has a video clip here about opening.

We last wrote about the Star Diner in our January 25, 2009 blog entry. At that time an article appeared in the Pawtucket Times mentioning the diner would open soon.


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Star Diner
140 Newport Ave.
Rumford, RI
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A Look Back on February 3rd

Over the years, today was a busy day for diner news. We've posted some of the news summaries in this column.

2/3/2008
Mark Zaretsky's article in the New Haven Register reported that O'Rourke's Diner was days from reopening.

O'Rourke's closed in 2006 due to fire and reopened on February 11, 2007.

2/3/2006
The Pawtucket Times reporter, Douglas Hadden wrote an update on the Silver Top Diner.


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In the News - Miss Williamsburg Diner

Yesterday's Gothamist is reporting the diner once known as the Miss Williamsburg Diner, a 1950's Silk City Diner, was gutted by an early morning fire. According to their article it last operated as a restaurant called 718. flickr pro imjustsayin has a series of photos a few hours later showing the extent of the damage.


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In the News - "Diners of New York"

Diners of NY, on the cover
is the Elizaville Diner.

Following a recent Internet posting, we were directed to Margaret McCormick's article in the Post-Standard. Her article provides an opportune time for us to mention the book entitled, "Diners of NY" by Michael Engle and Mario Monti. It was good to see her article not perpetuate the misconception that all diners are made out of discarded railroad cars.

Inside its almost three hundred pages, "Diners of NY" is packed full of information about factory manufactured diners in New York state. Though for completeness, they may slip in an on-site built diner or two.

With so many diners in New York, they tackled the project by breaking the book into regions. The lines were drawn along traditionally defined regions such as the "Capital District and Adirondacks," "Catskills," "Central Leatherstocking," "Finger Lakes and Western," "Long Island," "Lower Hudson Valley," and "New York City." "Diners of NY" follows the familiar format of preceding Stackpole Books such as "Diners of New England" and "Diners of Pennsylvania."

Whether you read the book sequentially, or concentrate on your favorite region, you'll find many photos, descriptions, stories, an index of diners, and maps interspersed throughout the book. It's something you'll want to carry with you on your diner visits. Speaking of which, in many of the sections they've included suggested routes of travel. Although the book has narrow margins, there is room for jotting a few notes.

For more information about "Diners of NY" we recommend you visit the NYDiners.com website. Better yet, visit your favorite bookseller and pickup your own copy. It's a handy resource not just for residents of New York, but everyone interested in diners both past and present. Hats off to Michael Engle and Mario Monti for putting together this excellent resource.


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In the News - Al Mac's Diner

Last night we had a sense this might take place. Fox25 Boston has a feature called "Diner Wednesday." The premise is Doug "VB" Goudie travels to diners in Massachusetts, interviews the owners and they put together a segment for the show. During the Wednesday morning Fox25 live broadcast, Mr. Goudie is at the diner and from time to time the anchors check in with him. He'll be chatting it up with the owners or customers along with doing a commentary on some topical event or issue. We were there on December 3, 2008 during his broadcast from the Nest Diner, in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. A brief blog entry was posted here.

Today, Mr. Goudie traveled to Fall River, Massachusetts and visited the 1950's DeRaffele built diner known as Al Mac's Diner. Fox25 has a video posted that may be viewed here.

We last visited Al Mac's, this past New Year's Eve and blogged about it here.


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Al Mac's Diner
135 President Ave.
Fall River, MA
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In the News - Liberty Elm Diner

Liberty Elm Diner,© 2008 DinerHistory.com
file photo

The "TV Diner" program as seen on the NECN cable network, has posted a review about the Liberty Elm Diner. Watch the video here.








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Liberty Elm Diner
777 Elmwood Ave.
Providence, RI
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In the News - LaBarge Moondance Diner

Kay Murphy Fatheree talked with the owners and staff of the diner about opening day, this past Monday. Read her entire article in the Kemmerer Gazette.

The diner once located in New York City, is a restored building dating back to the 1930's. While not a manufactured diner, it includes features reminiscent of diners from that era. We encourage you to visit their website to see pictures of the diner and read about what it took to reopen in Wyoming.


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LaBarge Moondance Diner
6th Ave and Main Street
LaBarge, WY
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In the News - Cheyenne Diner Saved!

1/15/09 11:16 AM

Cheyenne Diner
Originally uploaded by flickr pro Lawl
and appears here under Creative
Commons

Here is the press release issued by Michael Perlman with the the details.

###

Committee To Save The Cheyenne Diner
For Immediate Release For NY Media Relations:
Michael Perlman, Chairman & Preservationist
Committee To Save The Cheyenne Diner
(917) 446-7775
unlockthevault@hotmail.com

For AL Media Relations:
Patti Miller
(205) 587-5068
historicdiner@hotmail.com
pattikm@hotmail.com

HISTORIC CHEYENNE DINER TO RETIRE SOUTH IN ITS GOLDEN YEARS:
New Lease On Life In Birmingham, AL!

NEW YORK, NY (Jan 14, 2009) – NYC's historic Cheyenne Diner (411 9th Ave & 33rd St), "the diner of popular demand" was for sale once again, but as of today, Michael Perlman a.k.a “Diner-Man” (http://www.observer.com/2008/diner-man-rescue) brokered a deal between Joel Owens of Birmingham, AL and property owner George Papas for an undisclosed amount.

According to Perlman, the diner was slated for demolition within the next few weeks, if a buyer willing to transport the diner wasn’t located. Joel Owens, head of NAIC, an investment group, became the fortunate candidate, and has announced plans to restore the Cheyenne to its 1940s glory with potential additions including a classic car museum & special events center. Owens states “This is a dream come true, especially in a state that has no historic freestanding diners.” Alabama Tourism Director, Lee Sentell, states “This has the potential to be a great Alabama destination.”

Perlman received alternate proposals from potential buyers from Upstate NY, PA, MI, TX, & UT, but it boiled down to first-come, first-serve, when faced with a 6-week deadline to clear the property. Perlman states “It is of the utmost importance to acquire the necessary permits in a timely manner, to ensure preservation via transport for this historic gem, and we urge the NYC Dept of Buildings to expedite the permits process.” (Please direct inquiries to historicdiner@hotmail.com or pattikm@hotmail.com or Patti Miller Media Relations at (205) 587-5068, and “Diner-Man” Michael Perlman for NYC inquiries at unlockthevault@hotmail.com & (917) 446-7775.) Since the Cheyenne’s dimensions are 15 ft x 96 ft (2,000 sq ft), the diner will be transported via flatbed in 2 sections to Birmingham, with the expertise of Rigger Mel Brandt of M&M Rigging, who transported 50 diners countrywide (including NY’s historic Moondance Diner to LaBarge, WY in Aug 2007).

Backtracking... As Chairman of Committee To Save The Cheyenne Diner, Perlman presented a proposal to property owner George Papas (owner of nearby Skylight Diner & developer for Cheyenne property) on closing day, Sunday, April 6th 2008, and convinced him to work together. A 9-story condo is slated to rise on premise, which marked the end of the diner's 68 year-run for its Manhattan chapter. Cheyenne’s ex-owner Mike O'Connell planned to transport the diner to Red Hook, but it fell through when it wouldn't fit across the Manhattan Bridge via a flatbed, and the next option, transporting it by barge, proved 3 times as costly as traditional figures a year ago.

HISTORY: The Cheyenne Diner is a highlight in terms of its diverse patronage including celebs i.e. Jerry Lewis & David Letterman, and since it's second to the last streamlined railway car-inspired diner in Mid-Manhattan, and a scarcity borough-wide. It was pre-assembled by Paramount Diners in 1940, and known as the Market Diner through '86 after the popular chain. It retains a majority of its original &/or distinctive elements. The streamlined façade features vertical and horizontal stainless steel securing bowed colorful enamel panels, wrap-around windows, a curved entryway with glass block, & a reverse channel illuminated neon sign. The interior features a streamlined barrel roof, counter & stools, & Indian tribal coins. The Cheyenne was recently granted 1st prize on NYC-Architecture.com's “Top 10 NY Diners/Restaurants.”

Perlman explains: “Diners are amongst the ‘ultimate public institutions’ which harbor countless memories and bridge the generations. During the 30's - 60's eras, freestanding diners numerously dotted NYC’s 5 boroughs, and brought together individuals of various occupations in a cozy & striking ambiance. Today, they are becoming an endangered species at an alarming rate, and their loss is often most heartfelt. It is essential to preserve & reuse all remaining classic freestanding diners. Despite time constraints, we are committed to doing all we can for a noble cause.” The Committee’s consensus is that “A steady market for such nostalgic gems, coupled by the fact that they were manufactured to move; can ensure a victory for the Cheyenne Diner.”


PHOTOS:
Cheyenne Diner in operation in May 2007 & April 6, 2008 closing day photos, vintage photos, & photos during Mega Moves documentary filming, Courtesy of Preservationist Michael Perlman:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/8095451@N08/7t0113

1941 photo (pan & zoom 3rd in sequence), courtesy of NYPL:
http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/dgkeysearchdetail.cfm?trg=1&strucID=401863&imageID=712065F&word=9th%20avenue%2033rd%20street&s=1¬word=&d=&c=&f=&lWord=&lField=&sScope=&sLevel=&sLabel=&total=14&num=12&imgs=12&pNum=&pos=14

NYC Diner Preservation Record

- Sam Chinita housed in freestanding diner (8th Ave & 19th St), demolished 2000
- River Diner (11th Ave & 37th St), demolished Mar 2004
- Lunchbox Diner (357 West St), restored in 2002, but closed & remains abandoned
- Munson Diner (11th Ave & 49th St) transported to the Catskills in 2005
- Moondance Diner (80 6th Ave) transported to LaBarge, WY in Aug 2007 & reopens in 2009 (Michael Perlman founded the Committee To Save The Moondance Diner in spring 2007, which made him an official NYC preservationist after working with Extell Development, and granting it a new lease on life in LaBarge, WY)
- Staten Island's Victory Diner transported in Aug 2007 to SI's Midland Beach Promenade & reopens in 2009
- Some icons holding onto their own: NYC's Empire Diner (10th Ave & 22nd St), jet-age Market Diner (11th Ave & 43rd St) reopened early Dec 2008, Air Line Diner/currently Jackson Hole (Astoria Blvd & 70th St), Square Diner (33 Leonard St near Varick St & W Broadway).

###


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Cheyenne Diner
411 9th Ave.
New York, NY
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In the News - Tin Man Diner

Tin Man Diner, © 2008
DinerHistory.com file photo

In case you weren't able to be there, Doug "VB" Goudie from Fox25 visited the Tin Man Diner in North Falmouth, Massachusetts this morning. Click here to see the video.

We've written a number of articles about the diner. The diner was built by P.J. Tierney & Sons, Inc. in 1927. Click here to read our first blog entry written in June of 2008. Near the end of this article is a link to all the articles we've written about the diner.

"VB"'s live broadcast from the diner was one of a series visited for the Fox25 "Diner Wednesday" feature. He was in the area a little over a month ago. About twenty-six miles from the Tin Man, he visited the Nest Diner in Mattapoisett, MA. We were there for that live broadcast on December 3, 2008, and wrote about here.


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Tin Man Diner
70 County Rd.
North Falmouth, MA
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The Nest Diner
81 Fairhaven Rd.
Mattapoisett, MA
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In the News - Rajun Cajun

At the Rajun Cajun, © 2007
DinerHistory.com file photo

Daniel D'Ambrosio broke the story in today's Hartford Avocate. Chef Tommy Armstrong, pictured at the counter, has put the for sale sign outside the diner.

The diner was built by Paramount Dining Cars in the 1940's.



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Rajun Cajun Restaurant
2790 Main St.
Hartford, CT
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In the News - LaBarge Moondance Diner

New Yorkers were saddened when the Moondance Diner left the City in mid-August 2007. Residents of LaBarge, Wyoming and diner fans around the world eagerly awaited its reopening. In the meantime, we wrote a few articles for this site. Our blog entry from December 30th mentioned the diner would open in January.

Good news everyone. Jeff Gearino's article in today's Casper Star-Tribune reports the diner opens tomorrow morning! During this project Cheryl and Vince Pierce encountered some setbacks which they overcame. It's good to see that the signature illuminated crescent moon sign above the diner is on again. From everyone here, we wish them the best with their diner.


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LaBarge Moondance Diner
6th Ave and Main Street
LaBarge, WY
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In the News - Former Farmington Diner

Former Farmington Diner,
© 2008 DinerHistory.com file photo

During our road trip in Pennsylvania this past weekend, both Betty Jespersen of the Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel and Ann Bryant of the Sun Journal wrote articles about the diner.

It was back in July 2005 when we visited the diner on Intervale Road, where it had been since it arrived in the 1960s. At that time we noticed a series of interior renovations. Excepting the roof, the exterior of this late 1940s Mountain View* has fared better. In the picture you can see the signature "cow catcher" corners.

Over the last couple of years a number of articles have been written about the diner and its closing. As when any diner is removed from the existing foundation, its future may become unclear. This Diner was moved at the end of March 2008 to a field on Cemetery Road, in Wilton, Maine, where it remains there to this date. As we receive information about this project, we'll post it here.


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Farmington Diner
Cemetery Road
Wilton, ME
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In the News - Cheyenne Diner

ninth avenue
Originally uploaded by joe holmes and
appears here under Creative Commons

Another New York diner is in the news. Movement of this 1940's Paramount Dining Cars built diner seems to have hit a snag. Patrick Hedlund writing for Chelsea Now reports the new owner of the Cheyenne Diner, Mike O'Connell, has encountered some technical difficulties. Mr. Hedlund's article says diner itself exceeds the limits for the Manhattan Bridge. Mr. O'Connell is considering his options.

Mike O'Connell purchased the diner back in April 2008. Around that time it was announced that the diner would move a few miles away to Reed Street in Brooklyn's Red Hook section. The diner itself closed April 6, 2008, however the lights were on for a brief time after that when the diner was used in a film shoot.

We'll post more information here as it becomes available.


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Closed
Cheyenne Diner
411 9th Ave.
New York, NY
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In the News - Market Diner

C9270821
Photo by flickr pro gmpicket and
appears here under Creative Commons

At one time there were many Market Diners in New York City. Asher Zelin, long-time owner of this 1964 DeRaffele space age styled diner was sold in 2004. Under new owners the Moinian Group, the diner remained open until spring 2006. Lights were off and the portable fence surrounding the diner remained standing--until recently.

Marlene Naanes of AM New York reports the Market Diner is open once again. This article references a posting on yelp, a website for restaurant reviews. The reviewers mention their impressions of the food and the changes to the diner.

gmpicket's picture to the right was taken on October 15, 2008. On the left side of the picture are the planter boxes spoke of in one yelp review's comments.


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Market Diner
572 11th Ave.
New York, NY
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