NEWINGTON, Conn. — There is a plan in the works to replace an iconic Connecticut diner in Newington with a fast food restaurant.
The town's Planning & Zoning Commission met Wednesday night and heard from both the owners of the Olympia Diner and the company looking to redevelop the property.
Since 1954, the Olympia Diner has been an iconic fixture of the busy Berlin Turnpike and the Newington Community. It’s been owned by three separate families and was passed from generation to generation. But now the owners say they’re tired and their kids are not interested in carrying on the legacy. After several years of searching for a buyer, they have finally found one.
The Olympia Diner is thought to be the longest stainless steel modular meal unit in America.
“It’s a tradition, you know?” said Glen Nelson, of New Britain.
“I was 17 when I started coming here and now I’m 70,” remarked Laurie Kenney, of Coventry.
The diner is a fixture of Americana.
“There are not many left around here,” said Dominick Assid, of Manchester.
It has a neon sign that beckons the midnight truckers.
“When we were younger, this was the spot to come after you went out partying. We’d all hit this place. We knew everybody. We’d have breakfast and chit chat,” recalled Kenney.
It has even been the location of movie scenes like "Jacknife" with Robert De Niro.
“Being almost 70, my era is this. We’re totally losing everything we knew growing up, so it’s sad. Very sad,” remarked Kenney.
But now, the owners say it’s time for a change.
“Yeah, there’s going to be a change. It’s time for a change. Maybe like the saying goes, sooner or later every performer takes a bow and gets off the stage, and that’s where we are at," said the potential new developers.
Stavros and Tasos Gavrilis spoke at Wednesday’s Newington Planning & Zoning meeting.
“The way we see it is Arista is helping us with the next move in life," they said.
Arista is the Massachusetts-based company that’s agreed to buy the property with plans to redevelop it into a fast food restaurant.
“Just to keep adding these chains and keep more money in these rich people’s pockets. Honestly, I don’t think it should happen,” said Justin Richard, of Vernon.
But before the sale moves forward, Arista is asking the town to lift a restriction that bans them from developing within 35 feet of the road.
“So, about 25% of our site, under your regulations, we can do nothing with other than plant grass,” remarked Attorney John Knapp, who represented Arista during the town meeting.
The Newington Planning and Zoning Commission has yet to vote on Arista’s request for a variance. It remains unclear what would happen to the historic physical structure of the diner including if there’s a way to preserve or move it.
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Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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