Fitchburg Diner still cookin’ despite pandemic’s challenges
FITCHBURG » The staff at Fitchburg Diner have been serving up dependable, homecooked fare with a smile for years in a place that is a favorite spot among both locals and greater community members.
Ted Turner has owned the eatery located at 131 Westminster St. since 2012, which was formerly Barb’s Riverside Café.
The diner was closed in December 2019 because of illness on the management team and financial pressures due in part to bridge work nearby.
Turner said they decided to use that time to do a bunch of renovations, including updating all systems from electrical to refrigeration and cooking, and with the fresh start took on a new name.
“I love the staff, they are a great team,” Turner said. “We did not want to see them without work even though the bridge work was a real challenge and we needed renovation. We had great support from our customer community putting the word out to their friends and on Facebook.”
They reopened last year “into the teeth of the pandemic,” on March 19, and closed just three days later, reopening yet again
‘Social distancing and internet orders for takeout are two ways we have adapted. Also, during the summer months we put up a big white tent for outdoor dining by the river. This was very successful, as it is a beautiful spot.’ – Fitchburg Diner owner Ted Turner, speaking about the challenges the restaurant has faced during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic
on July 8.
“Our devoted customers cried when we closed and came back strong and joyful when we reopened,” Turner said. “It is not just a business, but it is a real community worth saving, worth sacrificing for. Our customers bring us fudge for Christmas and they even sew new curtains for our windows. We love our customers. They are the best.”
Turner said all of the challenges they have faced make them stronger and work together to overcome them. They have certainly felt the effects of the pandemic, and Turner said without federal assistance through a Paycheck Protection Program loan they would not have been able to reopen this summer.
“Social distancing and internet orders for takeout are two ways we have adapted,” he said. “Also, during the summer months we put up a big white tent for outdoor dining by the river. This was very successful, as it is a beautiful spot.”
There are currently seven staff members that work part time at the diner.
“There are several other experienced people that we love, and our customers love, that we cannot wait to bring back in full time,” Turner said. “My staff are not only good at what they do, but also are cheerful and dedicated and honest. I consider them like family and that is the way they feel about each other.”
It is not uncommon for restaurant staff to remain there for years, a testament to the positive work environment and their devotion to the customers.
Manager and head cook MaryBeth Saro has been at the restaurant for well over a decade and said that two of the employees have worked there since they were teenagers, her daughter Breana Saro, who is now 18, and Shannon McCartney who is in her 20s.
“I think I can speak for all the employees, we have become a family,” Mary-Beth Saro said, adding that she enjoys the banter with customers. “We all love seeing our regulars and love to meet new people hoping to make them regulars. We also love to do weekend breakfast specials and ask for suggestions.”
The menu features comfort food such as omelets and eggs benedict, house made corned beef hash, homemade soups and muffins, and more. Turner joked that Mary-Beth Saro does not let him cook; he is happy to handle the accounting, taxes, and back end operations of the business.
Turner said he and his diner staff are thankful for the ongoing support from their loyal customers.
“We love our devoted customers, and we would be nowhere without them,” he said. “We ask them, old and new, to hang with us through the winter then all will be well once again. We are in the home stretch. We look forward to being able to see our customers’ bright smiles and returning the same, more tables and more customers — and reopening our riverside dining under the big top. We are grateful to the city and people of Fitchburg for doing everything in their power to help us keep working and eating.”