By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – People looking for the nostalgia of a 1950s diner have a new place to go in the Buffalo area. The Lake Effect Diner on Main Street in the city's University District opened its doors Thursday.
Owner Tucker Curtin, who also owns the neighboring Steer Restaurant, said it's a vintage diner that was moved here from its original home outside Philadelphia.
"This particular diner was brought up here a year ago from Philadelphia where it was located for the past 50 years," Curtin said. "We restored it to its original grandeur. It's a 1952 Mountainview Diner, Number 446."
Curtin said he started having some second thoughts about opening the diner because of the restaurant downturn that followed September 11th. He said business at the Steer was off by some 40 percent. But Curtin said he and his wife tightened their belts and found a way to make it work.
If Thursday's lunch time crowd was any indication, Curtin said he expects the investment will pay off.