This site was born out of a passion for storytelling, nostalgia, and good old-fashioned diner culture. My name is Dana Schaeffer — radio storyteller, proud New Jerseyan, and now, diner revivalist.

In 2023, something unexpected happened: I started working to help restore a 1940s diner in my hometown. What began as a side project — just a little love for an old building — grew into a mission.

People started reaching out — sharing stories of diners they loved, diners that had closed, or ones barely holding on. I listened. And the more I heard, the more I knew this wasn’t just about one building. It was about all of them.

New Jersey is the diner capital of the world, and yet, these icons are vanishing

This website came together organically — from one project, to one story, to a whole movement. It's here to celebrate the diners that shaped our lives, support the ones that need a little love, and honor the ones we've lost.

This site is a space to celebrate, preserve, and advocate for diners in NJ and beyond—told through stories, photos, and action.