The reopening of the Market Diner in New York City gets additional, in-depth coverage here via the excellent blog, Jeremiah's Vanishing New York. Enjoy...

By Susan M. Cover | Kennebec Journal | Jan. 5, 2009

Vassalboro, ME
Neighbors who live near the Grand View Motel, which could soon offer a grand view of another sort, offered mixed opinions Sunday on a proposal to turn the old motel into a coffee shop with topless waitresses. Members of the Vassalboro Planning Board on Tuesday will consider Donald Crabtree of Ellsworth's request for a business permit. Crabtree, who was working inside the building on Sunday, said he did not want to talk about his proposal prior to the meeting.

"I'd rather not talk," he said. "Not right now."

The former motel, which has been the site of many business ventures in the last several years, is on Route 3 just over the Augusta line. It was most recently Mac Daddy's Pub at the Fat Cat Grille, which closed three or four years ago, said Planning Board Chairwoman Virginia Brackett.

Somerset, PA
In Somerset a midnight run to the store or a late night meal may not be as easy to come by as in other towns, due to few 24-hour establishments.

Some businesses that used to be open throughout the night are closing their doors for the night because of less customers.

“Our business did slow down a bit when they changed the laws with drinking,” said Mitzi Foy, owner of Summit Diner in Somerset. “People don’t stay out as late, which was our customer base. When the laws got stricter bars were shutting down earlier and we weren’t getting the same business.”

Foy said since the diner is a family business it was no longer feasible to stay open all night.

Foy’s father, Doug Shaulis, said he remembers when the diner was the only 24-hour restaurant.

“At one time this was the only place open 24 hours,” he said. “With Eat’n Park there’s not enough business for two places during that late at night. It just wasn’t feasible to stay open that long.” v