On a recent trip to Burlington, Vermont, we learned that the lovely Parkway Diner will apparently close at the end of March this year. March 31st to be precise.

The diner, a very original early 50’s Worcester car (#839), has been leased and run by the husband and wife team of Christine and George Alvanos for the past ten years.

Speaking to us as regulars streamed in on a bright Sunday morning, Christine Alvanos said their efforts over the years to purchase the diner outright, or to extend their lease, have been rebuffed.

The owner of the diner is George Hatgen, who ran the diner for some 20 years prior to the Alvanos. Hatgen owns both the diner building and the land it sits on. Ms. Alvanos said she had heard rumors of what might happen after they are forced to vacate, but nothing she could confirm any of them. She said Hatgen had not revealed his intentions for the diner and TheAmericanRoadside has, as of yet, been unable to contact him for comment.

Parkway waitresses Mary Magnusen and France Isabelle

The couple have bought into a downtown business they will call the Pine St. Deli. They are hopeful that they’ll be able to get permits to serve their regulars once again at this new location, if they can obtain the necessary permits for sit-down type restaurant. If all goes well, they are also hoping to be able to offer new jobs to all of their current employees.