Summit Diner Shines Again

The Summit Diner has completed a full exterior restoration, returning the 1939 O'Mahony structure to its original appearance after months of work funded through a national historic-preservation grant. The diner, located on the corner of Summit Avenue and Union Place, first opened on the site in 1929 as a lunch wagon serving railroad workers and downtown employees. The current stainless-steel O'Mahony model arrived in 1939.

Michele Greberis owns the iconic diner with her husband Jim. The family has operated it since 1964, when Michele's father, George Contorousis, and Jim's uncle, John Greberis, purchased it.

The restoration focused on preserving the 1939 exterior. Gutters were repaired, missing black molding was replaced, the art deco door was restored, and historically similar energy-efficient lighting was installed. The enamel panels were cleaned rather than repainted. The diner's sign, which had been down for months after a truck struck the corner of the building, was restored and re-electrified and is now back in place.

R.J. Forst Contracting completed much of the hands-on work, with Peter Greberis, AIA, LEED-GA, Vice President at MKDA in New York City, working closely with contractors to ensure the exterior remained true to its 1939 design. Summit Downtown, Inc. Executive Director Nancy Adams coordinated the $50,000 grant submission. Architect Tom Conway of Kelly, Rosen, Conway Architects provided an early façade review that supported the application.

The Summit Diner was voted #1 Best Diner in New Jersey for 2025 by New Jersey Digest readers and won Best NJ Diner Breakfast from 94.3 The Point. Inside, the diner maintains a long partnership with the Other Fellow First Foundation, which marked its 25th anniversary last year.

This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy against official sources.

Produced with AI assistance and reviewed against source records.