New Dining Car To Open This Week
McKean County Democrat
Thursday, January 28, 1937
Alfred Sturdvient’s new dining car on Main Street
will be open to the public for the first time either Friday of Saturday
of this week.
All of the equipment for the handsome new eating place, the first
diner ever seen here, arrived today. The car was constructed by Norman
& Sons, local contractors.
Mr. Sturdvient announces that the diner will be open 24 hours a day.
The “train crew” will be composed of Miss Ella Parsons,
Mrs. Ward Means, John Hungenford, and Miss Marguenite Parker.
Mr. Sturdvient has resigned as manager of the Dairy Bar. Before accepting
that position last summer, he was employed at the Corner Drug Store
for many years. Miss Parsons, Mrs. Means, and Mr. Hungerford are all
former employees of the Corner Drug Store. Miss Parker was formerly
employed at Halpenny’s Restaurant.
Dale Milliron, well known local restaurant man, has accepted a position
as manager of the Dairy Bar in Mr. Sturdvient’s place.
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Dining Car Opens
McKean County Democrat
Thursday, February 4, 1937
The new dining car on Main Street, owned by Miss Ella
Parsons and Alfred Sturdvient, opened last Saturday and has been enjoying
a splendid business.
The diner is never closed, remaining open 24 hours every day.
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Eddie’s Diner
McKean County Democrat
Thursday, August 3, 1944
On January 5, 1941, Ed Okerlund purchased the Main street
Diner from Alfred Sturdveint. Mr. and Mrs. Okerlund managed the business
for a short while. Extensive improvements were made on the building
making it more attractive in appearance on the inside and outside.
“Eddie’s Diner” has become a popular eating place
for Court House employees, defense plant workers, and other business
people of the town as well as a large transient trade. Very delicious
and appetizing meals and lunches are served from 7 in the morning
until 11 at night.
Mr. Okerlund is now having an addition, 14’x20’, built
onto his establishment that will house the kitchen, and the present
kitchen will be renovated into dining space for twenty more customers.
His business has grown so rapidly that he finds that this addition
is absolutely necessary in order to take care of the needs of the
public.
One of Mr. Okerlund’s ambitions in the future is to install
a new soda fountain system that will enable him to more fully take
care of his patrons in this line.
Prior to Mr. Okerlund’s purchase of this business he operated
a school bus for Keating township. Mr. and Mrs. Okerlund reside in
East Smethport where they own their own home.
“Eddie’s Diner” is operated under the personal supervision
of Mr. Okerlund, with the assistance of Mrs. Okerlund and the following
employees: Mrs. Vera Lynch, Mrs. M.M. Munn, Mrs. Lilly Okerlund and
Miss Dorothy Daugherly, who assists in the evenings.
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Fred Barr Purchases Eddie’s Diner
McKean County Democrat
Thursday, March14, 1946
A deal was completed last week whereby Fred Barr, teacher
in the East Smethport consolidated school, purchased the diner from
Ed Okerlund. Mr. Barr will take over the operation of this popular
local eating place the first of April and it is announced his sister
will be in charge until the present school term ends in June. Mr.
Barr will retain the present force.
Mr. and Mrs. Okerlund have conducted the Diner for the past four years.
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Michael’s Fine Foods Is Serving Quality
Meals
McKean County Democrat
Thursday, October 31, 1946
History has not changed the fact that one of man’s
greatest pleasures is the enjoyment of fine foods. But history does
record that mankind has continued to provide himself with more and
better victuals.
It is only reasonable to assume that those who have had long experience
in food handling and preparation can provide better meals. This is
certainly true in Smethport where Michael’s Fine Foods is catering
to a public that is most discriminating in its search for better meals.
Since acquiring the Main Street diner from Fred and Lulu Barr in the
late summer, Michael DeSantis, a prominent proprietor of a Bradford
grocery and butcher shop, has been guided by a creed that dictates
that there is “nothing too good for the customer.” This
attitude has paid dividends to Mr. DeSantis.
As each day passes new customers come with the old to partake in the
finest food obtainable. Experts in the preparation of tasty dishes
are constantly at work in the modern kitchen of Michael’s Fine
Foods. That the customer obtains complete satisfaction is proven by
the steadily increasing clientele of this distinguished eating place.
To facilitate the eating habits of all sections of our population,
Michael’s Fine Foods maintains hours to suit nearly every requirement.
The establishment is open from 7 a.m. until 12 midnight each day,
including Sunday, with the exception of Saturday when the closing
hour is 1 o’clock.
In an effort to provide more speedy service Michael’s Fine Foods
has installed the necessary equipment to serve many short orders from
the front part of the building. This insures the serving of food while
it is at the proper temperature. Before the business was reopened
several months ago by Mr. DeSantis, the structure was newly painted
and redecorated.
Mr. DeSantis stated yesterday that his constant aim will be to serve
the finest in prepared food at moderate prices. He hoped that it wouldn't
be long before the conditions on the purchasing market would permit
a reduction in the retail price of meals and short orders.
Whether it be a snack or a hearty meal, Michael’s Fine Foods
is the place to go. You will receive what you want when you want it.
It is the pledge of the management to continue to strive to provide
better food for less money.
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Main Street Diner Opens Under New Management
McKean County Democrat
Thursday, January 9, 1947
Albie and Bernice Mattison Conclude Deal January 1.
Albie and Bernice Mattison, well known residents of East street, Smethport,
purchased the Main Street Diner, recently known as Michael’s
Fine Foods, from the owner, Michael De Santis of Bradford. The deal
was made effective January, 1.
Mr. and Mrs. Mattison opened their establishment for business yesterday
morning after being closed several days for remodeling. A soda fountain
has been installed in the front of the building, replacing a grill,
which was removed to the kitchen.
The new owners stated on Tuesday that they will be open from 7 a.m.
until midnight each day with the exception of Friday and Saturday,
when the closing hour will be extended.
Mr. Mattison is employed by the Quaker State Oil Refining Corporation
at their Farmers Valley plant, while Mrs. Mattison was employed as
manager of the Valley Grill until she acquired the Diner.
Mr. De Santis held the title to the business for about four months,
having acquired it from Fred and Lynn Barr in September of 1946. The
Barrs bought the eating establishment from Ed A. Okerlund in the late
spring of last year. Okerlund owned and operated the business for
several years prior to selling it to the Barrs.
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Mattison Diner Sold To Mrs. Jessie Sheldon
McKean County Democrat
Thursday, October 28, 1948
Mrs. Jessie Sheldon of Smethport has purchased the Diner
on Main street owned by Mr. and Mrs. Alyle Mattison. The business
was taken over by the new owner last Friday.
Mr. and Mrs. Mattison expect to leave soon for California where they
will spend some time.
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Main Street Diner To Reopen Today In Smethport
McKean County Democrat
Thursday, April 2, 1953
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Milroy, a well-known Smethport couple,
have purchased the popular Main St. Diner and will reopen the eating
place today (Thursday.)
The Milroy Diner has been completely redecorated by the new owners
during the past ten days.
It was announced that the Diner will specialize in home cooking and
baking. The cooks are Mrs. Agnes Farrel and Mrs. Esther Canfield and
the waitresses are Jessie Sheldon and Elizabeth Ness.
The Diner will be open from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on week days and
from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.
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Bradford Man Purchases Diner In Smethport
McKean County Democrat
Thursday, November 4, 1965
Tracy’s Diner on Main Street, Smethport, is now
operating under new ownership, effective last Monday.
Mrs. June Tracy sold the Diner to Ivan Regis who has owned and operated
the popular South Bradford Dairy Bar for the past eight years.
This week, Mrs. Tracy is remaining at the Diner to introduce the new
owner to the customers.
Smethport’s Main Street Diner was established 30 years ago by
Miss Ella Parsons and the late Alfred Sturdvient and has been a successful
business operation ever since.
Owners have included Mr. and Mrs. Ed Okerlund and Fred Milroy, in
addition Mrs. Tracy and her late husband.
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