As it happens, I still field calls and emails from people looking to buy a real, stainless-steel clad, vintage diner. Not as many as I once did, but they still come in because I do maintain a "Diner for Sale" category at the Diner Finder. I no longer make it a point of providing the contact information, because in all honesty, I don't have the time or inclination to diligently keep that information fresh.
In the past few months, I've met or corresponded with a few parties involved in the process of buying and restoring a vintage diner. One of those parties already made their purchase, one is trying to acquire a diner in the path of development, and another has sent me urgent emails claiming an intention to buy and save at least three diners on our list. Each one of these three parties perfectly illustrates the trials and tribulations of a preservation advocate such as myself, who has some ambition to make a living in this field.
The individual who informed me of his current attempts to save a diner from demolition also told me he has long-followed Roadside and appreciates my "passion" for diners, etc. I think this website very clearly indicates not only my passion, but the valuable resources I can marshall to help this project.
I know, for instance, that there are but a handful of people out there truly qualified to perform diner restorations, and I know them all. You will not find some random contractor with a love of diners who truly knows the challenges involved. This is highly specialized work, and without a deep immersion into the craft, or at least a few projects behind them, they won't know what they're doing.
When you tell me "I have a guy" to do the work and he's not someone in my database, he doesn't know jack about diners. At best, he'll do a pointlessly substandard job. At worst, he will wreck your diner and hasten your bankruptcy.
More often than not, that guy you know probably sources the better part of his materials at Home Depot, and that other guy you know who can move your diner either never moved a real diner or has a history of damaging the ones he's rigged.
And anyone who contacts me with any degree of urgency falls to the bottom of my priority list pretty fast. No one needs a diner right away. No one is going to buy a diner "tomorrow." No one is going to set it up in a month. If you're in such a hurry to enter a business with a 2% margin, 18-hour workdays, and a million-dollar outlay, then go buy yourself three Subway franchises.
Finally, the people who did buy a diner recently did so after having contacted me over a year ago stating their desire to bring one to their community. As I usually do, I spent some time on the phone with them, first trying to determine if they might be mere tire-kickers (they weren't), and second, whether or not they had any potential for success. Given that they already worked in the industry, they seemed like good prospects.
They kept me apprised of their progress and let me know when they closed the deal on a diner they found thanks to a tip I gave them. After repeated appeals to do so, I would soon make arrangements to meet with them to put faces on their names, to discuss their plans in greater depth, and to sample their current operation. Meeting with them required a considerable time commitment, but as I was already traveling into the region, I included them on my itinerary. Still, it required a two-hour side trip.
We had a fine time and a very good lunch, but by the end of our meeting where I hoped to discuss how they should bring me on board, I learned that they already had a designer for their future graphics needs — who incidentally was a big fan of my work! So, I spent an entire day traveling hundreds of miles to dispense valuable advice with the hopes of generating future business. Instead, I got a bowl of soup, a tasty sandwich, and a snack for the road.
Yes, I know. A better businessperson would not allow themselves to be played for such a chump. Sadly, I know of others in this field who were similarly played. We all want so badly to see diners saved, that we often too-freely give up our expertise and experience just so that we have another great place to eat. Perhaps our efforts will lead to something more, and the recognition will bring its own rewards.
The three scenarios described above largely sum up my whole "diner for sale" experience. After twenty years of mostly thankless and unrewarding efforts to connect buyers and sellers in an attempt to preserve these disappearing gems, I'm closing the free-advice spigot. There were some exceptions. Some of those I've connected have shown true gratitude, either with unsolicited commissions or future business, but they are the rare exceptions.
So, I'm serving notice to all those out there scanning the Diner Finder looking for a diner to buy and who also need more information to complete their project: No more free advice. If the first question out of your mouth when you call me is not "How much do you charge?" you'll be lucky to get a weather report out of me.
Good luck with your search, and if you find something and don't use my services to complete your restoration, please don't do too much damage to the diner you just bought. Please leave something for the next guy who might come along and actually do it right.
good points! When I was actively involved in a business that works with diners, I suffered many losses and disapointments due to unmotivated and inexpirienced operators. I had gone on many long trips as well with the hopes of aquiring new business only to be disapointed. Or performing many hours of labor and the expense of supplies and equipment only to have a place close soon after mostly due to the faults of the diner's operators.
Wow, Randy There are those that still think they can restore and run a diner successfully in this economic environment. Good Luck-I'm still waiting for your Western Road Trip
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