Buy A Diner

CT - New Britain. A Kullman

2010-03-03T13:00:00.000-08:00

Update 3/3/2010

Summary
• Located in central Connecticut.
• Built in 1960's New Jersey diner builder Kullman.
• "Princess" model.
• Seats 70.
• L?′ x W?′.
• Diner is currently operating.
• Priced under $100,000 with a and "motivated" seller.

Craigslist ad

OH - Sheffield Village. An onsite

2010-03-03T09:44:00.000-08:00

A 5 & Diner lease opportunity on Craigslist post.

Summary

• Approximately 3,500 sq ft.

Contact: (440) 225-7156 or email dinodino953@yahoo.com.

NJ - Lawrenceville. A Mountain View

2010-02-24T14:04:00.000-08:00

Details coming.

NJ - East Orange. An O'Mahony

2010-02-10T18:08:00.000-08:00

Harris Diner (East Orange, NJ) - 1951
Originally uploaded by the_photographer
and appears here under this Creative
Commons license.

We just found a Craigslist post about the diner for sale.

Summary

• Located in East Orange, NJ
• Built in 1951 by Jerry O'Mahony, Inc., of Elizabeth, NJ.
• Unique "L" shaped diner.
• Approximately 3,000 sq ft.
• Craigslist price: not mentioned.

Contact: Nick at (201) 803-6668.

CA - Santa Monica. A W.L.C.C.

2010-01-26T09:16:00.000-08:00

1/26/10 Update: Currently on ebay $100,000.

Originally posted Jan 24, 2009.
We just found a Craigslist post about a diner for sale.

Summary

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Built in 1929 by Worcester Lunch Car Company.

Renovated in 1956 by Worcester Lunch Car Company.

36' x 12.5'.

Last operated in Cape Cod as Gibson's Diner (refer to the comments below).

~~Craigslist price: $95,000.~~

http://www.track16.com/diner_car.php

~~http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/clt/995844483.html~~

Contact: Sean Meredith (310) 264-4678

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Comments

be tolman 2009/03/28 at 8:45am

although it appears to be a 1929, the sales description state it comes with the "original build tag 1936"? just curious about the discrepency. also i hear the palace in biddeford maine is for sale but is a little pricey. any info on either would be appreciated. brett
be tolman
brettwood98@msn.com

Sean Meredith 2009/02/26 at 5:16pm

Also, is it possible this was Gibson's Diner and then later was Breaker 19? When it closed in the 1980s it was Breaker 19? Any details appreciated! thanks! sean
Sean Meredith
seanm@track16.com
http://www.track16.com/diner_car.php

Sean Meredith 2009/02/26 at 4:37pm

I happy to read these posts to try to get the timeline correct. We've loved owning and enjoying this diner for the last 15 years and hope it will find a wonderful home we it can be appreciated by many more people than it does today.

I'm a dealer of art and vintage Americana and know nothing about the restaurant business, but I can't help imagining the diner operating when i pass by vacant lots around Los Angeles.
Sean Meredith
seanm@track16.com
http://www.track16.com/diner_car.php

admin 2009/01/29 at 10:01pm

Larry,
Thank you for posting the additional information. I'll update our database.
admin
info@buyadiner.com

Larry Cultrera 2009/01/29 at 11:29am

In fact the other "organization" that listed it has some wrong info. The diner remained operating and did not close until the end of the 1980's. That is when Larry Holmes bought it and it was moved into storage near the Boston area. When Larry Holmes did not secure a new operating location for it he sold it to the guy down in North Carolina who also never put it back into service. Then it went out to Track 16 Gallery in California.
Larry Cultrera
dinerhotline@verizon.net
http://dinerhotline.wordpress.com

admin 2009/01/28 at 1:41pm

Larry,
Thank you for the information about the diner's history and links to other diners. When we said it last operated as Gibson's Diner, we were going by what was in their Craigslist posting, which has since expired, their page http://www.track16.com/diner_car.php, and the description from another organization that had listed it for sale. We have updated the listing above for people to read these comments.
admin
info@buyadiner.com

Larry Cultrera 2009/01/28 at 10:22am

Actually, this diner's name when last operated in Buzzard's Bay was known as the "Breaker 19" Diner. It was bought by Larry Holmes who never got it operating, (He eventually started Betsy's Diner in Falmouth and more recently Kelly's DIner in Somerville). And if it was the diner that was replaced by Jimmie Evans' Flyer it would have been called "Jimmie Evans' Dina" according to an old post card image.
Larry Cultrera
dinerhotline@verizon.net
http://dinerhotline.wordpress.com

admin 2009/01/26 at 1:13pm

Gary,
Thank you for the excellent background on the diners. Gary's book is published by Arcadia Publishing, ISBN # 0738510718 and is currently available online at many book seller websites.
admin
info@buyadiner.com

Gary 2009/01/25 at 2:50pm

There are several great images of this diner in my book, "Diners of the North Shore", while it was in Peabody, MA 1941-1954 and known as the Suntaug Diner. I talked extensively with the man who owned it at that time.
Originally the Exchange Diner in Milford, MA it was repossessed by the Worcester Co. and ended up as property of the Judkins Co. later. This was where Ernie Stansfield, the owner when known as the Suntaug, came into possession as Judkins basically set him up with the diner in order to get rid of it as they were trying to clear their yard in order to close down operations.
I seem to remember something about this diner once being Jimmy Evans Flyer before being replaced by a Sterling Streamliner. This would make sense as trade-ins were typical with diners, just like cars.
Gary
thombrot@comcast.net

admin 2009/01/24 at 11:35am

Thank you for posting the link. With the added exposure it will get from being listed here, it just may find a new home.

Here's another picture: http://www.track16.com/diner_car.php. That page includes a bit of history and video of the diner moving.
admin
info@buyadiner.com

NC - Denver - A Dinermite

2010-01-11T10:25:00.000-08:00

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In the process of adding this diner. The information we have now is it was built by Dinermite in 1999 and opened in 2000. We've added it to the Google Diner map. Location of diner on the map is the yellow "$" symbol.

Originally posted on craigslist.com here.

pending removal 3/2010 - 1940's Silk City in New York

2009-02-23T09:04:00.000-08:00

Originally posted Jan 9, 2009.
This diner has been relisted on Craigslist. Pictures of the diner are included in the ad.

Summary

Located in Mineola, NY View Google Map

Built in the 1940's by New Jersey diner builder Paterson Vehicle Company. Known as a Silk City Diner brand diner.

For pictures see the Kiss the Chef diner here.

We were told yesterday the diner itself is for sale.

Craigslist price: $40,000. Contact 718-730-2178.

~~http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/bfs/1044573543.html~~

Comments

admin 2009/01/09 at 4:51pm
Thank you for letting us know, we’ll update the post.

Tom 2009/01/09 at 3:57pm
The diner is not being sold, only the business.

1960's Paramount in Ohio

2009-01-09T12:20:00.000-08:00

Steve Harwin graciously sent us a list of some diners from the Diversified Diners inventory.

Summary

Located at Diversified Diners in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

Built in 1960's by New Jersey diner builder Paramount Dining Cars.

Seats about 85.

Two sections, each about 65' x 10'.

Click here to visit the Diversified Diners website for pictures and further description of the diner.

Contact Steve at diversified@oh-diners.com or through his website http://oh-diners.com/.

1950's O'Mahony in Ohio

2009-01-08T12:38:00.000-08:00

Steve Harwin graciously sent us a list of some diners from the Diversified Diners inventory.

Summary

Located at Diversified Diners in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

Built in 195o's by New Jersey diner builder Jerry O'Mahony Inc.

It measures approximately 50' x 15'.

Seats 52.

Click here to visit the Diversified Diners website for pictures and further description of the diner.

Contact Steve at diversified@oh-diners.com or through his website http://oh-diners.com/.

1940's Silk City in Ohio

2009-01-08T12:36:00.000-08:00

This diner is no longer available. We were informed it will be returning to service in the coming months.

Steve Harwin graciously sent us a list of some diners from the Diversified Diners inventory.

Summary

Located at Diversified Diners in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

Built in 1940's by New Jersey diner builder Paterson Vehicle Company. Known as a Silk City Diner brand diner.

52 seat diner, though currently configured for 46.

It measures approximately 40' x 15'.

Click here to visit the Diversified Diners website for pictures and further description of the diner.

Contact Steve at diversified@oh-diners.com or through his website http://oh-diners.com/.

1954 Silk City in Ohio

2009-01-08T12:35:00.000-08:00

Steve Harwin graciously sent us a list of some diners from the Diversified Diners inventory.

Summary

Located at Diversified Diners in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

Built in 1954s by New Jersey diner builder Paterson Vehicle Company. Known as a Silk City Diner brand diner.

52 seat diner.

It measures approximately 42' x 15'.

Click here to visit the Diversified Diners website for pictures and further description of the diner.

Contact Steve at diversified@oh-diners.com or through his website http://oh-diners.com/.

1955 Fodero in Ohio

2009-01-08T12:33:00.000-08:00

Steve Harwin graciously sent us a list of some diners from the Diversified Diners inventory.

Summary

Located at Diversified Diners in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

Built in 1955 by New Jersey diner builder Fodero Dining Car Company.

Seats about 80.

It measures approximately 40' x 15'.

Click here to visit the Diversified Diners website for pictures and further description of the diner.

Contact Steve at diversified@oh-diners.com or through his website http://oh-diners.com/.

pending removal 3/2010 - 1948 Fodero in Washington

2008-12-28T12:43:00.000-08:00

We just found a Craigslist post about a diner for sale.

Summary

Location is Bainbridge Island, WA view Google Map

Built in 1948 by New Jersey diner builder Fodero Dining Car Company.

Operated as the Willow Grove Diner, Willow Grove Pennsylvania. Closed in 1963.

Moved sometime after that to storage in New Jersey.

1990's disassembled, moved, and restored at current location on Bainbridge Island, Washington by Al Packard. Opened as the Blue Water Diner.

11/2001 diner reopens as the Big Star Diner.

3/2008 diner reopens as Richie's 305 Diner.

Tom Vaughn provided this link for a picture of the diner .

Craigslist price $69,000. http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/bfs/970110339.html and the posting includes pictures.

Diners for sale/lease/rent

2008-10-21T12:51:00.000-07:00

If you know of a diner that is for sale, we encourage you to contact us.

Former Forum Diner

2008-01-01T19:15:00.000-08:00

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Map legend: The top yellow "$" is the approximate location of the Forum Diner.

Additional pictures of the diner.

Committee To Save The Forum Diner
For Immediate Release
Contact: Michael Perlman, Chair & Preservationist
(917) 446-7775
unlockthevault@hotmail.com

CLASSIC “FORUM DINER” FOR SALE:
Effort to Spare “Endangered Species” from Oblivion!

PARAMUS, NJ & NEW YORK (Oct 30, 2009) – A multi-faceted, creative preservation movement is underway by the Committee To Save The Forum Diner, to spare the historic Forum Diner (211 East State Route 4, Paramus, NJ) from demolition, and is calling upon parties of interest to come forward ASAP, and spare this gem from oblivion. Shortly after the diner’s former owners retired in 2007, Kevin Ormes’ Jeep 17 dealership was slated to rise on premise, but has since fell through. As a result, there are more preservation options than before, but time is of the essence for a diner attributed with a “series of firsts.” Reopening and restoring the Forum Diner to its former glory would become a dream come true to devoted fans, on the basis of memories made within its walls and its unique architectural style for a diner. It merits a new lease on life, so future generations can have a chance too.

PRESERVATION OPTIONS (thanks to an agreement with Kevin Ormes):

1. Purchasing the Forum Diner structure at the low cost of $15,000 ($1K per sq ft), in which the buyer would be responsible for rigging costs. All or most of the diner’s 7 sections can be transported elsewhere, and saved along the lines of Preservationist Michael Perlman’s other projects, NYC’s Cheyenne Diner transported to AL in Oct 2009 & NYC’s Moondance Diner to WY in Aug 2007. Rigger Mel Brandt of M&M Rigging, transported over 50 diners countrywide, & took dimensions of the Forum Diner. Also, a deal can be worked out with Al Suwara, who is willing to accommodate anyone seeking land to move the Forum Diner to. He owns a 15 acre property in Cairo, NY with an 800 sq ft frontage on Route 23, a heavily-trafficked main road that leads to Ski Windham and Catskill Park.

2. The Forum Diner’s 50-year lease at its current property can be purchased for $3.9 million. The diner has a history of great business, which is marked by its convenient location on a major intersection with a school and shops nearby.

3. The Forum Diner can be leased at $55,000/month.

     **For the above options, it is very likely that grants and tax credits are available to help finance future historically-sensitive restoration & renovation work, through the State & National Register of Historic Places.

Forum Diner History:    The Forum Diner is an architectural gem, and rare for 60s style architecture. It was prefabricated by the Fodero Dining Car Co, and was announced that "money was no object" when it came down to detail, shortly after it first opened. Joseph Fodero of Bloomfield, NJ was the mastermind of diner manufacturing (also manufacturing NYC's famed Empire Diner). The Yannitsadis brothers were the original owners of the Forum Diner. The exterior borrows from the Environmental style, and features stainless steel, wrap-around windows, groovy gold frame doors, corner entryway with stone & colored mansard roof, & decorative ornamentation gracing the top. The interior is elegant, featuring fine Greek wood fluted columns & moldings and coffered wooden-paneled walls (rare for a diner), wood ornamentation, recessed areas for chandeliers, etched mirrors with regal logos, stone, curtains, counter & stools with backrests, kitchen out back, terrazzo tiles and wave-patterned terrazzo distinguishing circular wooden booth areas. Pat Fodero, son of Joseph Fodero, came up with the idea of circular booths to seat more patrons per table, and it was first popularized at the Forum Diner. It became the norm to build large to boost business. The interior portrays the Colonial style.

Forum Diner Photos: http://www.flickr.com/gp/8095451@N08/okNvP5 (Can be enlarged by clicking on each photo and then "all sizes" to view small, medium, or large. Some photos appear to be slightly larger, since they were taken with a super wide-angle lens)

Review of Specifications

Address: 211 Route 4 East, Paramus, NJ
Circa 15,000 square feet
10 ft ceilings
Historic/Rare architectural features
Lot size: 2.05
Heat: gas
Parking: 200 spaces
Seats: 220
50-year lease of diner on its property: $3.9 million
Leasing: $55,000/month
Purchasing the structure only: $15,000 one-time fee

      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 the tri-state area, 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 Forum Diner.”

Parties of interest can contact Committee To Save The Forum Diner Chairman Michael Perlman at unlockthevault@hotmail.com & (917) 446-7775, and all information will be relayed to the property owner.

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