Red Robin Diner (Not the crappy chain restaurant) 2
This is a view of the Red Robin Diner on the corner of Main St. and Broad St. in Johnson City, NY. The red brick building just to the right of center houses the Fat Cat Books bookstore.
My family is from this area, and even I have memories of visiting the diner and Fat Cat Books. The diner is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year at this location (the original location was at 8 Conklin Ave, Binghamton, NY, from 1950).
It's summed up nicely from this article from pressconnects.com:
Diner to celebrate 50 years at JC location
By Eric Reinagel
JOHNSON CITY — In the 1960s, chef Louis Diamantakos remembers Endicott Johnson shoe workers, doctors, mailmen and construction workers eating at the Red Robin Diner in Johnson City.
“Everyone used to stop there,” said Diamantakos.
Things might not be quite as bustling these days, but current owner Jon Bowie said, “We’re doing OK. We’re surviving.” From 5 to 7 p.m., today, Red Robin will celebrate 50 years at its Main Street location. Bowie said the event will include free cake for all customers. The nostalgic art deco diner actually got its start at 8 Conklin Ave., Binghamton, in 1950.
On July 1, 1959, the 35-ton diner was transported from Binghamton down the Vestal Parkway and across the bridge to Johnson City, a trip that took more than two hours. The diner was rolled onto the empty lot where the Farrell Kitchen Specialty Co. was located until it burned to the ground during a spectacular fire on the night of Jan. 24, 1957.
Over the years, the restaurant has had two owners and there was fear about what would happen to the Johnson City landmark when Chris and Pat Anagnostakos decided to retire after 37 years of running the business. Rumors had a medical office going into the space; then a bank.
Instead, Jon and Bonnie Bowie bought the building and renovated the facility. Jon said he always had a love for nostalgia. He even had a 1950 GMC truck refurbished and a paint job done on the truck’s door that says Red Robin Diner. Although Bowie’s restaurant lives in the past, he’s embracing a new Wal- Mart coming in 2010 off Lester Avenue. “Hopefully we can get some traffic on Main Street,” he said.
Just like the good old days.
Red Robin Diner (Not the crappy chain restaurant) 2
This is a view of the Red Robin Diner on the corner of Main St. and Broad St. in Johnson City, NY. The red brick building just to the right of center houses the Fat Cat Books bookstore.
My family is from this area, and even I have memories of visiting the diner and Fat Cat Books. The diner is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year at this location (the original location was at 8 Conklin Ave, Binghamton, NY, from 1950).
It's summed up nicely from this article from pressconnects.com:
Diner to celebrate 50 years at JC location
By Eric Reinagel
JOHNSON CITY — In the 1960s, chef Louis Diamantakos remembers Endicott Johnson shoe workers, doctors, mailmen and construction workers eating at the Red Robin Diner in Johnson City.
“Everyone used to stop there,” said Diamantakos.
Things might not be quite as bustling these days, but current owner Jon Bowie said, “We’re doing OK. We’re surviving.” From 5 to 7 p.m., today, Red Robin will celebrate 50 years at its Main Street location. Bowie said the event will include free cake for all customers. The nostalgic art deco diner actually got its start at 8 Conklin Ave., Binghamton, in 1950.
On July 1, 1959, the 35-ton diner was transported from Binghamton down the Vestal Parkway and across the bridge to Johnson City, a trip that took more than two hours. The diner was rolled onto the empty lot where the Farrell Kitchen Specialty Co. was located until it burned to the ground during a spectacular fire on the night of Jan. 24, 1957.
Over the years, the restaurant has had two owners and there was fear about what would happen to the Johnson City landmark when Chris and Pat Anagnostakos decided to retire after 37 years of running the business. Rumors had a medical office going into the space; then a bank.
Instead, Jon and Bonnie Bowie bought the building and renovated the facility. Jon said he always had a love for nostalgia. He even had a 1950 GMC truck refurbished and a paint job done on the truck’s door that says Red Robin Diner. Although Bowie’s restaurant lives in the past, he’s embracing a new Wal- Mart coming in 2010 off Lester Avenue. “Hopefully we can get some traffic on Main Street,” he said.
Just like the good old days.