Iconic Shawmut Diner up for sale, customers nostalgic
Andrea Medeiros
The iconic Shawmut Diner in New Bedford is now up for sale. The diner's 20
workers and hundreds of customers are
already getting nostalgic.
It's the kind of place where everybody knows your name
and customers stick around even after they're done eating.
“They love Shawmut Diner just like we do,” said customer Jacqueline Moyer, “They love the
food. They love the people. They can't talk about it enough, just like
us.”
The Shawmut Diner has been in New Bedford for more than half
a century, owned by the Paleologos family for 32 years.
Now, it's up for sale. 20 workers could be out of a job.
“It's a shock. It really is a shock,” said waitress Darlene Oliveira, “This is my home
away from home. I am disappointed. I don't know what I'm going to
do from here.”
The diner, that's become a landmark here on the corner of Hathaway Road and Shawmut Ave, is being sold for 1.5 million dollars, but the
memories the customers have made are priceless.
“Way back in 59 when I was a teenager, I used to come
here,” said one customer. Another man said, “My wife brought me here for New Year's day breakfast and
we had linguica.”
Shawmut Diner owners Phil and Celeste Paleologos have become
as much a fixture as the diner's iconic rail car design.
The couple is calling it quits to spend more time with family.
“We have another chapter in life,” said Phil Paleologos, “We're looking forward
to our grandchildren and trips.”
“I'm going to miss everybody,” said Celeste Paleologos tearing up.
What happens to the diner is up to whoever buys it.
For now, the staff is just appreciating every moment they
have left with customers they call family.
