SALEM — Mayor Kimberley Driscoll is asking for the public’s help in finding a new home for the Salem Diner, which has been a staple in the city for nearly 80 years.
Established in 1941, the diner also needs new ownership in order to stay in business.
Throughout the years, Salem Diner has seen many owners; its current owner is Salem State University. The restaurant was located on the university’s campus and became a popular gathering place for students and residents.
Students were able to use their SSU meal-plan funds at the diner. While the diner was a hit with students, repairs and maintenance became too expensive for the university, which closed the diner in 2019 and is looking to find a new home for the Salem icon, Driscoll said.
“It’s iconic for those who went to Salem State University or have lived in our community for a long time,” said Driscoll. “It’s been family-owned for a couple of years; it always makes you feel at home as soon as you walk in, with your typical diner fashion.”
New ownership soon appeared to be on the horizon, with a local couple coming to an agreement to buy the diner and move it to a new location at 10 Derby Square; the diner would have been located on the roof of that building. However, the excitement died down when COVID-19 hit and those plans fell through.
Driscoll said the push to reestablish the diner is also a personal one.
“Me and my family have lots of fond memories eating at the Salem Diner,” said Driscoll. “As a student at Salem State, I often saddled up to the counter to grab breakfast or lunch in between classes.
“As a mom of young kids, my husband and I relished walking to the diner with all three kids who were doted on by the staff, while we unsuccessfully tried to avoid spilling juice and dropping toast everywhere. The cherished mornings were running into Johnny Pesky, who always had a small Red Sox bear for the kids, while holding court in the back of the diner,” she said.
Salem Diner is one of two Sterling Streamliner diners left in Massachusetts and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
Proposals are due on Nov. 2 for citizens who have a serious relocation plan to own and operate the historic diner. Proposals can be emailed to Driscoll at [email protected].
Hannah Chadwick can be reached at [email protected].
