08/13/2026
Things in the works for the Fall and Future Projects
I hope everyone is enjoying these nice days of summer!
We are working on some changes that will come sometime in September.
1. Ditch fill in.
I've met with the contractor and I think we'll have the ditch filled in sometime in September. They will fill it in and install parking blocks. We think at least 5 spots will be added. Next year after the gravel has time to settle, we'll asphalt it.
2. Delivery change.
We've been using a third-party company for the delivery. They've been doing a good job, but I think it's expensive for customers.
Sometime in September we're going to discontinue with the company, I'm going to hire someone to be our delivery driver. To start we'll offer FREE delivery 4-8pm Monday-Friday. We haven't decided on delivery hours for Saturday and Sunday.
We'll go up to 5 miles for free.
This would be a great job for someone in high school with their own car. If there are no deliveries, this person would help assist in the diner answering phones, helping the waitresses or kitchen.
I'll be posting the job early September and I'll announce when it's starts.
3. Updated menu.
Early September we are going to update the menu. We periodically do this. The Toast system shows us what are our best sellers, what items hardly sell.
We plan to add in more salads and I want to add a small keto/healthy/diet section and healthy sides that can be switched out for french fries. Any suggestions are welcome!
4. More Specials.
We going to add more variety. I've asked each cook to provide at least 5 specials. Early September we'll get together and build our specials list.
The favorites will stay on their days. The new specials we'll rotate. We'll have breakfast specials (offered all day), Lunch specials (11am-8pm), diner only specials.
We'll plan each week in advance and I'll post on Facebook what is coming for the week.
If you have ideas, let us know!
5. New Advertising
Starting in the fall we will be advertising with Bug Country radio.
Plans for the Future - Next Year or Two
Back Door Area
Behind the diner we have a door where we bring in food deliveries. Next year I want to put a 12x8 roof over it for bad weather and install an asphalt pad with a fence.
We'll be able to keep our cardboard (we get a lot of boxes) out there, plus I would like to get some smokers to offer smoked meat specials.
Kitchen Door Area
Under the exhaust fans by the back door is a sloped concrete pad. The back wall of the diner needs to be repaired. I want to remove the sloped concrete and put in a flat pad, so our dumpster and oil recycling can be right next to the kitchen door, to make it easier for staff.
Empty Retail Space
Since I bought the diner I've been debating on how to use the old retail space at the right of the building. When Mike and Fabiola bought it (now 19 years ago), there was a pool supply store there. The owner left after a year and it was used as a storage area. Right now the space is unheated.
What I think will benefit the community and be reasonably profitable is turn it into a small event space and a finer-dining restaurant. It would need heating/AC, new lighting, other remodeling work and some upscale decoration.
We could offer higher end dining with reservations on Friday or Saturday. I could bring in a guest cook, do themed meals. We could do "dinner and show" - offer diner and a show (book guitar playing, comics, other live entertainment).
The rest of the time the space could be rented out for meetings and smaller events, we could offer catering.
I'd love your feedback and ideas!
