Locals rally for beloved diner
STAMFORD — Lushe Gjuarj, the owner of Parkway Diner Restaurant in Turn of River, has achieved the American Dream.
Gjuarj fled Kosovo during the war and moved to the U.S. at age 17. She got a place to live and at one point, housed 22 other refugees in her two-bedroom apartment. She
started a family and opened her diner in the Stamford neighborhood.
It filled Gjuarj with pride to know that she had made it in a new country. But then the coronavirus hit and she had to close the seating area in her diner to protect the larger public health.
To make it through these last few months when many families were in quarantine, Gjuarj had to swallow her pride and ask for help. It has not been easy.
“We’re all in this together, but financially, we’re alone,” she said. “I’m trying to pay bills on 25 percent of my revenue.”
For two months, her restaurant could offer only takeout or delivery service. But recently, Gjuarj was able to reopen outdoor seating at her diner, which required a permit from the city of Stamford.
But her customers are dedicated followers of Gjuarj and her cooking, which she says has nourished first responders and hospital workers these past two months, too.
Patron Tricia Nobs stopped to talk to Gjuarj as she was walking to her car with takeout containers. She has been ordering takeout since the shutdown started.
“We love this diner,” Nobs said. “She’s a staple. Lushe has to survive.”
The chairs where Gjuarj and her customers were seated are courtesy of Hal and Shirley Eis, regular customers and good friends of the diner.
“I’m so lucky to have customers like that,” Gjuarj said.
Two realtors, Karen Sheftell and Susan Swidler, ate outside in the parking lot.
“We’re happy to be here and support Lushe,” Sheftell said.
Swidler said it was a perfect day to enjoy outdoor dining.
But Gjuarj misses being able to sit down with her customers for a cup of coffee, and cannot wait until she can socialize with them again. And that may happen as early as June 17, when the state begins phase two of reopening.
“This is my life,” she said. “I’m used to talking to people.”