In Denville, one other basic NJ diner faces wrecking ball. What’s subsequent for Route 46 web site?
DENVILLE — One other classic New Jersey diner has shut down perpetually and will quickly face the wrecking ball.
The West Aspect Diner on Route 46 closed its chrome-accented doorways final month, the final in a line of diners that had operated on the spot for many years. The West Aspect was purchased by a neighbor on the freeway with an equally lengthy lineage, the family-owned Anchor Ace {Hardware}.
Anchor bought its next-door neighbor early this month. Proprietor Mitch Epstein is mulling his choices however has already put up signage pointing prospects to expanded parking for his enterprise.
The previous diner will likely be both offered and moved, or demolished. Epstein hopes to have a plan in place by the top of the yr.
“We’re rising exponentially and wish extra space, extra parking,” mentioned Epstein, whose father, Bernie Epstein, purchased the {hardware} enterprise from its authentic homeowners in 1986. “On a busy day, prospects would simply drive by as a result of there was no place to park.”
Denville diner constructed on Silk Metropolis ‘bones’
The West Aspect was constructed on the “bones” of a basic “Silk Metropolis”-style diner that had been working on the spot for years earlier than, Epstein mentioned. Previously often known as the Arrow Diner, the unique constructing had fallen into disrepair when it acquired a big makeover in 2008.
That renovation, constructed within the authentic basis, deserted the acquainted Silk Metropolis diner-car design. However with its shiny purple awnings, chrome, cozy sales space seating and a big neon signal exterior, the West Aspect nonetheless recalled a bygone period of Jersey diners.
Michele and Jim Greberis, homeowners of the enduring Summit Diner, purchased the Denville eatery in 2017 and gave it one other makeover, rebranding it because the Summit West Diner. The enterprise survived the COVID lockdown, thanks partly to a $14,000 Morris County Small Business grant awarded in 2022.
When the Greberis household determined to downsize their operation, they discovered an keen purchaser proper subsequent door.
“After they determined to maneuver on, it was a once-in-a-generation alternative to purchase property on the freeway and we simply could not cross it up,” Epstein mentioned.
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Anchor grew to become an Ace {Hardware} affiliate in 2018 and is one in every of two family-owned {hardware} shops within the space which have flourished for generations, whilst others within the trade succumbed to competitors from big-box retailers like Dwelling Depot and Lowe’s.
The opposite is Denville Hardware, which was offered by its homeowners earlier this yr to a different Morris County household enterprise, Ricciardi Brothers. Denville {Hardware}, situated in downtown Denville on First Avenue, is presently present process renovations however continues to be open for enterprise.
“It is attention-grabbing that you may have two {hardware} shops lower than a mile aside in the identical city,” mentioned Anchor supervisor Jeff Hartman. “We have coexisted for years. They do their factor and we do ours.”
Epstein shared the key of his retailer’s success: “Strictly customer support,” he mentioned. “Have the precise merchandise, sufficient of the precise merchandise. You welcome folks once they are available and also you clear up their issues.”
How NJ grew to become the “Diner Capital of the World”
New Jersey earned its status because the “Diner Capital of the World” largely via the legacy of the Paterson Wagon Co. The North Jersey enterprise and its Silk Metropolis Diner division manufactured about 1,500 railcar-style eating places from 1926 to 1966.
The Summit Diner is probably probably the most well-known Silk Metropolis property within the state nonetheless working in its authentic kind.
One other well-known Morris County location by Paterson Wagon − Tom’s Diner on the Ledgewood Circle in Roxbury − was demolished in 2021. Earlier than that, it was used to movie scenes for the video of Cyndi Lauper’s 1984 hit, “Time After Time.”
Different Silk Metropolis diners in Morris County misplaced to historical past embody the Madison Diner and Vacationers Diner in Dover.
“We have been fascinated by seeing if any individual needed to acquire the diner and transfer it elsewhere,” Epstein mentioned. “The Silk Metropolis bones are nonetheless there. Nevertheless it’s not the unique diner so we do not know if it is price something.”
William Westhoven is an area reporter for DailyRecord.com. For limitless entry to crucial information out of your local people, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Electronic mail: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com Twitter/X: @wwesthoven
This text initially appeared on Morristown Each day File: Another classic NJ diner faces wrecking ball in Morris County
