Editor
Walking into the Village Diner and Bake Shop feels like walking back in time.
The new diner, which opened on Feb. 24 in the village of Batavia, is outfitted with a retro look, which owners Gianna Dirr, of Batavia, and Michelle Copher, of Anderson Township, thought would fit the 114-year-old building best. They felt a retro look is something older customers would appreciate and younger customers would think is neat.
“I just like the small town feel of it. I like having regulars,” Copher said.
Dirr and Copher, both former nurses, each had cake businesses out of their homes before opening the diner. Dirr was outgrowing her kitchen, so she began looking for one to rent.
When she began talking with the owners of the building that the diner now occupies about renting the kitchen, they persuaded her to open a diner instead. Knowing that Copher had always wanted to open a restaurant, Dirr talked with her and the diner was born. The cake business is on the back burner for now, but the diner does serve baked goods, Dirr said.
Almost everything they serve is made in the diner, Copher said. The only thing that is fried in the diner are the french fries. Dirr and Copher wanted to have fresh, lighter meals. They also hope to use produce from the local farmer’s market this summer.
While recognizing that it isn’t possible to please everyone, Dirr and Copher will seriously consider suggestions, especially if they hear the same suggestion from more than one person, Dirr said. They have a regular menu and daily specials that they post on a sign outside the building and announce on their Facebook page.
The best response they’ve gotten to a menu item as has been to the “Walker Special,” which offers a choice of a hot dog, grilled cheese or peanut butter and jelly sandwich with chips and a drink for $2 to students walking home after school. Students seem to really enjoy stopping at the diner after school, Copher said.
There have been some bumps in the road and a lot of learning because Dirr and Copher are both out of their comfort zone, but they both plan on keeping the diner around for awhile.
“It’s very satisfying. I didn’t realize. I mean, being a nurse is very satisfying in a way but this is a total different satisfaction,” Dirr said.
Business has been going well so far. Breakfast tends to be slow, but they are always busy for lunch. The first Saturday they were open the place was so full there were no seats left. They are so busy they have barely had time to pass out fliers to nearby businesses, Dirr said. However, most customers have been very understanding when it takes a little extra time to be waited on because the diner is so busy, Dirr said.
“What has amazed me down here is the community support,” Copher said.
Not only have people been asking for their opening date since they put the sign in the window, but the mayor and village administrative staff have been very supportive as well.
“Our people are the reason we’re doing so well,” Dirr said.
Currently, only Dirr and Copher work full time at the diner. They also have a part time cook and some help from their families, but they will probably look for a waitress soon, Dirr said.
However, both said that without support from their families, they couldn’t have made it happen.
The diner is open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. It is located at 236 E. Main St. Currently, customers can dine in or carry out. Dirr and Copher hope to offer local delivery at some point.
“We’re very happy to be here and we’re very happy for the support that everybody’s given us so far. It’s really great, we really appreciate each and every person that comes in here, we really do,” Dirr said.