Welcome to Peterborough Diner

The Peterborough Diner remains as an historic 1950's Worcester Lunch Car Diner. WLC #827: Famous for being the first Worcester Lunch Car made with green and cream, still embraces its historical character, while celebrating 75 years at its present location!

Historic Timeline

A black and white photograph shows vintage vehicles on a street, including a smaller car parked on the sidewalk and a large truck driving by, with a row of trees, utility poles, and buildings in the background.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The existing Peterborough Diner was placed in its current location on Depot Square and in native hearts.

  • Worcester Lunch 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. WLC #827.

  • Milton Fontaine sold the diner to his brother Edward Fontaine.

  • A bathroom was placed in the diner!

  • Edward Fontaine retires, selling the diner to Doug Bartlett and Don Merwin who plan expansions.

  • Theofanis & Jane Athanasopoolos and Andy & Stacey Pirovolisanos buy the diner. Grand Reopening of the diner April 23, 1984.

  • Owners discovered that the diner never got hooked up to sewer connection. Oops!

  • New owners, natives of New Hampshire, Patrick Healey and Eric Finley buy the diner.

  • A new, different layout, menu for both breakfast, lunch/dinner, and kids roll out focusing on quality food at a great price. Later that year, the Classic Car Cruise and Cook-out celebrate the one year anniversary of the new owners.

  • Patrick Healey becomes sole owner of the Peterborough Diner.

  • In the 75th anniversary year of the diner car at its present location, the restaurant is passed to another generation of ownership. Melanie Neily, along with Greg & Krystal Sherwin purchase the historic and beloved, Peterborough Diner, with the hopes of continuing its incredible traditions, while finding new and innovative ways to celebrate its history and loyal community.

A man in a white chef's uniform standing behind a counter with an arm resting on it, in a coffee shop or bakery setting with a mirror behind him reflecting part of the interior and a bouquet of flowers nearby.
A man in a white t-shirt sitting on the floor, packing items into boxes in a room with large windows.
People standing outside a green and white diner named Peterboro Diner, with a vintage car parked in front and autumn trees in the background.

Learn more about the historic Worcester Lunch Cars that can still be visited around the region!

WLC Co.

“One of New England's premier diner manufacturers, the Worcester Lunch Car Company of Worcester, Massachusetts, began as a lunch wagon builder in 1905. From the mid-1920s to the mid-1950s, this company produced at least seven models of diners, with customizable choices.” The Henry Ford