Phoenixville, PA
The South Main Street Cafe, 119 South Main Street, has made its debut over the weekend, cumulating a hectic six months for owner Helen Jackson.

It was on Sunday, February 24, when the Vale-Rio Diner closed its doors for good, leaving long-time employee Jackson wondering what she was going to do with her life.

"I never thought (the Vale closing) would ever happen," said Jackson. "We thought the Vale would reopen and we'd be back to work. I never imagined this would be so real."

The closing of the Vale-Rio Diner, said Jackson, was very hard on her.

"It was like a drawn-out funeral service," she said. "I bought a cross and flowers and put it out in front of the diner. I miss the Vale. I miss the people. You never know what you have until it's gone. We are just getting over it."

Jackson, who was hired in 1991 to work at the Vale, became full-time there in 2001.

"I was a single parent and they were good about that with me," she said. "My daughter Katie cried as much as I did when it closed."

However, Jackson, who's had a dream of opening her own restaurant for over 20 years, decided to make her dream a reality.

"This was a dream of mine for 20 years," she said. "I raised three kids on a waitress salary, and I feel I owe the town because they helped pay for everything for my children.

During her years at the Vale, Jackson said she worked all different shifts, and studied the restaurant business.

"I cooked, served and worked day and night," she said. "Mr. Valerio was a wonderful man to work for, and we stayed there for him after he left to keep his legacy going. Now I'm making my dream a reality."

The reality is now known as South Main Street Cafe. It's located in the former Phoenixville Moose Building, but there is still one Moose landmark that is prevalent in the cafe.

Jackson said that the reality was fueled by a former Vale customer, Wayne Crumb, who has now become her business partner.

"He used to come into the Vale for breakfast and lunch, and he was a great customer," she said. "We starting hanging out and we began looking at buildings. He said he'd help with the financing if I ran the show. He is my business partner and he only knew me from the diner. I would tell people I'd find a place, and I'd say 'The Moose is calling me.'"

Jackson said that she and Crumb walked into the Moose in April to view the lay of the land.

"We lucked out because the Moose sat empty for two years," she said. "We were visualizing things and it matches what was in my mind. It's perfect."

The inside of the cafe is adorned in soft brown, black and white colors, with seven booths and four square tables upon entering the building.

Off to the right-hand side is a counter with eight stools, which is sure to shake the memories of past Vale customers.

"There are those who love to sit at the counter and eat," said Jackson. "Not everyone wants to sit in a booth or table. They even have their favorite stools to sit on."

Towards the back of the building is a huge room with 14 tables, that can be separated by a giant curtain for parties and get-togethers.

In the middle of the floor in the party room is floor tiles with the old Moose design.

"We saw that there and simply cut the carpet around it," said Jackson.

Hanging upon the back wall is a mural-sized painting of Iron Hill, courtesy of her daughter-in-law, artist Sue Blaisard.

The menu is filled with former Vale-Rio Diner favorites, said Jackson, as she wanted customers to see some of their familiar dishes that they've been missing since February.

"I played around with the menu," she said. "I wanted a menu that people can bring their families out to, and have it be affordable. We aren't recreating the Vale experience, we are just sharing it."

Prior to the cafe's opening, Jackson said she has sat out on the stoop outside at night, and observing people walking along the streets.

"They are leaving the bars and looking to walk to get something to eat," she said. "In the near future, we will be open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. We're also going to have a Wing Night and we have a huge big screen television for football season."

Since the eatery's soft opening on Saturday, Jackson said she's been overwhelmed by the experience, and glad to finally be open.

"It felt really good to be open," she said. "I got more hugs the last couple days since February. People are so supportive. People were actually waiting to get in the doors."

Originally published online here: http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20080292&BRD=1673&PAG=461&dept_id=17915&rfi=6