A landmark is back on Route 61 near Schuylkill Haven.
The Manheim Diner is owned by a group of restaurant owners in the Pine Grove area. Inside it's got the looks of a diner from the 1950s. The building was brought in from another state.
Chad Kimmel is one of the owners. "It was actually being used for about two years in Ohio and it didn't work out for them so we went out there, looked over the property and decided it might work for us here," Kimmel said.
The diner has come a long way. It was called the Paradise Diner for years. In December of 2000, police said an arsonist torched it, leaving a burned-out shell.
New owners and staff are being kept busy getting the diner ready for it's grand opening. Shannon Milbrandt is the kitchen manager. "I have opened two or three other restaurants. This one is going to be my baby. I think this one is going to be the most fun," Milbrandt said.
Kelly Bruce has been named general manager and will run the diner's operation. "It's exciting and nervous. I've managed a restaurant but never opened one up," Bruce said.
She has the job of screening and hiring applicants. She's surprised that 200 people have applied for a few positions. "A lot of people have lost their jobs due to layoffs or closing of plants. They're running out of unemployment or have already run out of unemployment, practically begging for jobs and telling me some kind of a hardship story, so I know how the economy is like so I know they are telling me the truth," added Bruce.
The Manheim Diner is expected to open the first week of November.
The Manheim Diner is owned by a group of restaurant owners in the Pine Grove area. Inside it's got the looks of a diner from the 1950s. The building was brought in from another state.
Chad Kimmel is one of the owners. "It was actually being used for about two years in Ohio and it didn't work out for them so we went out there, looked over the property and decided it might work for us here," Kimmel said.
The diner has come a long way. It was called the Paradise Diner for years. In December of 2000, police said an arsonist torched it, leaving a burned-out shell.
New owners and staff are being kept busy getting the diner ready for it's grand opening. Shannon Milbrandt is the kitchen manager. "I have opened two or three other restaurants. This one is going to be my baby. I think this one is going to be the most fun," Milbrandt said.
Kelly Bruce has been named general manager and will run the diner's operation. "It's exciting and nervous. I've managed a restaurant but never opened one up," Bruce said.
She has the job of screening and hiring applicants. She's surprised that 200 people have applied for a few positions. "A lot of people have lost their jobs due to layoffs or closing of plants. They're running out of unemployment or have already run out of unemployment, practically begging for jobs and telling me some kind of a hardship story, so I know how the economy is like so I know they are telling me the truth," added Bruce.
The Manheim Diner is expected to open the first week of November.
