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History The existing
Peterborough Diner was placed in
its current location on Depot
Square and in native hearts in
1949. Some unique and
interesting facts about the
diner:
Interesting fact #1:
If you visit the Peterborough
Diner and sit on the left side
counter (from the entrance) you
will see a food window where the
kitchen sells the food. Under
that window is a shelf. That
shelf is actually a door that is
flipped over. This location,
from what we know, was where the
food used to be prepared on a
grill. That grill has been
removed and innovative
reconstruction placed it in a
larger area in the back.
For the 1st year anniversary of
new ownership, the staff and
owner invited the community to a
Classic Car Cruise and Cook Out.
We believe the best way to
celebrate is to invite the
community. Face painting, a live
DJ playing oldies music, kid's
games, and give-aways were among
the festivities.
Interesting fact #2:
In June 2003, the now
highly-used ice cream cooler was
installed. Before this time,
whenever an ice cream product
(frappe, sundae) were ordered,
the servers had to go back into
the kitchen to scoop the ice
cream. What a hassle that must
have been!
Do you want to know something
about the Peterborough Diner?
Ask Jon Nichols. Jon has been a
regular at the diner since it
was delivered over 55 years ago.
"I was sitting on that stone
wall over there (referring to
the wall across the street- in
front of the movie theatre) when
they brought it here. I watched
Roland Johnson set it up. I've
been coming here ever since."
While Jon is called by name when
he visits 2 to 3 times a day, it
is the servers remembering how
Jon takes his coffee or how he
wants his steak cook that makes
his visits special. He was also
invited to the annual holiday
party. He is family. |
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HISTORY OF THE
PETERBOROUGH DINER
(recreated from timeline
posted at the
Peterborough Library-
Not responsible for
misquoted dates/events)
- Before 1936-
Frank and Dora Ryan
Had a wooden diner
on Grove Street
(located in front of
now- Nonies and shoe
store)
- Frank and Dora
purchased a used
diner and placed it
on Depot Square site
after the flood of
1936.
- 1946- Milton
Fontaine purchased
Frank Ryan's old
diner- (the land
belonged to B&M
Railroad. A water
tank for the steam
engines was just
behind the diner)
- 1950- Worcester
Dining Car Company
built the new diner.
It was the first one
made in dark green
and cream. Placed on
the same spot as the
old one.
- 1955- Milton
Gontaine sold the
diner to his brother
Edward Fontaine.
- 1974- A bathroom
was placed in the
diner!
- 1983 - Edward
Fontaine retires,
selling the diner to
Doug Bartlett and
Don Merwin who plan
expansions
- 1984- Theofanis
& Jane
Athanasopoolos and
Andy & Stacey
Pirovolisanos buy
the diner. Grand
Reopening of the
diner April 23,
1984.
- 1985- Owners
discovered that the
diner never got
hooked up to sewer
connection
- August 2003- New
owners, natives of
New Hampshire,
Patrick Healey and
Eric Finley buy the
diner.
- July 2004- A
new, different
layout, menu for
both breakfast,
lunch/dinner, and
kids roll out
focusing on quality
food at a great
price.
- August 2004-
Classic Car Cruise
and Cook-out
celebrate the one
year anniversary of
the new owners.
- May, 2008 -
Patrick Healey
becomes sole owner
of the Peterborough
Diner
We are looking to
fill in the gaps of the
history that we have.
Please forward any
history, pictures or
information that you may
have on the Peterborough
Diner to
peterboroughdiner@myfairpoint.net.
Thank you.
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