Jukebox Diner back open for business
The Jukebox Diner is shaking, rattling and rollin’ at a new location.
Sophia and Dylan Mendoza had operated the popular 50s and 60s-themed food truck on Thorold Stone Road for the past three years.
Problems rose, however, after they added a 1953 British doubledecker bus to the location.
Soon after the bus arrived in early May, a complaint was made to the city and the couple was told the bus must be removed because it does not comply with a city by-law.
The bus was subsequently removed and they were also told to remove a portable toilet and small shed. The couple decided it was time to look for a new location.
“The customers were great but the atmosphere was no longer positive,” Sophia said.
On Friday, they re-opened at their new location on Drummond Rd., beside Sorrento Bakery and Neil’s Auto Service.
“It’s the same great food that we had before but with a better atmosphere and more space,” Dylan said. “And, there are better things to come. There is so much potential here.”
The couple hope to add the double-decker bus to the new location in the future.
“We still have the bus and we have to go through the process again and we’re hoping it will work out because this lot is much bigger,” Dylan said.
The Mendozas launched a petition in May, asking residents for support in their fight to keep the bus in the city’s north end.
More than 1,400 people signed the petition.
“We were blown away,” Dylan said. “We knew people liked our business but we didn’t realize how much support we had from the community.” The diner is open Thursday to Monday from noon to 8 p.m.