Politics & Government

Looks Like It's Curtains for Mom's Diner

The classic 1950s diner in the Avenel section of Woodbridge may be on the verge of oblivion.


It's been a year since the news that Mom's Diner, a classic 1950s style diner, was going to be demolished to make room for a convenience store and gas station. 

Despite dozens of inquiries made to save the diner from the wrecking ball, it looks like it may be too late.

A temporary fence was erected last week around the stainless steel structure, located on Route 1 in Avenel, and it looks like construction workers have begun disassembling the diner.

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The distinctive "Mom's Diner" sign was already gone.

Potential purchasers of the diner, which sits next to the now-shuttered Gem Motel, have shown a keen interest in the diner for its historic value. Some would-be buyers have made calls from as far away as Massachusetts, hoping to move the diner and preserve it for posterity.

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Within the past few, inquiries were still flowing in. But oddly enough, the owners of the property decided to remain incognito. Efforts to contact them failed. It's uncertain, in fact, exactly who owns the property.

Mayor John McCormac, who announced the renovation of the property last year, has been involved in the redevelopment of the acreage which also includes the next door motel. McCormac's office has not returned calls to Patch or to several diner fans who were interested in getting in touch with the owners.

McCormac said at the opening of a new Wawa in the Fords section of the township that he wanted to "be on the bulldozer" when Mom's Diner is demolished.

The diner was listed last year as being for sale for $20,000 at the online website for the American Diner Museum. The diner had been in fairly good shape, but since it was closed several years ago, no effort was made to preserve it and keep out the elements. 

The diner and motel are to be replaced by a multi-bay Wawa gas station and convenience store.

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