Historic Manhattan diner moves to Sullivan County
Hudson Valley News story: The Munson Diner is moving from West 49th Street in Manhattan to the South Main Street district of Liberty, N.Y.  The historic diner will soon be hauled over the George Washington Bridge to make its grand entrance up Main Street to Lake Street, where it will find a permanent home.

The diner, which was the scene of a Seinfeld episode, radio interviews and TV commercials, is expected to arrive in Liberty in May.  Then, with an intensive schedule of construction, landscaping, restoration and selection of an operator, the diner will celebrate a grand opening early in the summer.  If all goes well, it will open just in time for Liberty’s July 4 Festival on Main Street.

`“The Munson Diner will be Downtown Liberty’s new national tourist attraction,” said Allan Berube, who, as coordinator of Community Development at the Liberty Economic Action Project , got the ball rolling when he learned the diner was for sale.

“We believe the move, restoration, community involvement and grand opening will turn a new page in the ongoing revival of our Main Street district,” said Berube. “This creative, community-initiated project will draw new visitors to Liberty’s home-style restaurants and shops, museums, galleries and theaters.” 

The Munson Diner project is linked to a larger campaign to promote downtown Liberty as a visitor destination.  Dozens of people and organizations have participated in the project so far. 

The staff of LEAP, Liberty Community Development Corporation and Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development initiated and steered the project past many obstacles. 

At the same time, the Munson Diner Corp., with 15 Liberty investors, was formed to raise $250,000 in funds to buy the diner and vacant lot, pay for the move, restore the diner, prepare the site and build an addition.  The cost of purchasing the diner is approximately $35,000. "
- posted by Sophont @ Tuesday, May 03, 2005