The retro return of The Hi-Lite Restaurant
Closed since March of 2020, the classic diner in downtown Niagara Falls has reopened
After a long, dark year, the “Open” sign has finally flickered on again at the Hi-Lite Restaurant in downtown Niagara Falls.
The Queen Street staple closed last March after the pandemic was declared, at which time owner Tom Rigas decided to do some long overdue renovations.
But what he expected to take weeks kept getting drawn out as the pandemic played havoc with the construction industry.
Finally, after 10 months of off-andon work, the nostalgic diner was back in business Tuesday morning. Rigas said it will be takeout only for at least the first week as staff work out the kinks “to get us back up to speed.”
It was “quiet” at first, he said, but he expects things to pick up once word gets out the Hi-Lite has returned.
It is one of the oldest eateries in the city. Originally known as The Model restaurant in the 1920s, it was briefly called The Watts Restaurant in the mid-1960s before it was purchased
by Rigas’ father Nick and renamed The Hi-Lite in 1970.
For decades the decor rarely changed, and Rigas — he took over ownership 25 years ago — wanted to keep the retro details for the renovation.
“The biggest concern I had from people was ‘Don’t change.’ ”
And so, the Hi-Lite’s classic booths and counter stools remain, albeit reupholstered. The counter has been redone and the floor has been replaced with a checkered design, which required four layers of flooring to be removed.
But ask anyone about The HiLite and talk inevitably turns to the tabletop jukeboxes.
Though they still aren’t playable — he’s working on it — Rigas said they were simply too popular to get rid of. They remain stuck in the early ’80s, the last time they were serviced and filled with new 45s.
Rounding out the new decor are nostalgic photos added to the walls.
Seating capacity remains the same at 114 people.
Rigas is eager to reunite with longtime customers once indoor dining resumes, likely at 50 per cent capacity under pandemic guidelines.
“We’ve got a lot of people who’ve been coming with their families for years.”
Many of them have watched Rigas grow up at the restaurant.
“I’ve worked here since I was 14.”