Residents passing by the former East Main Diner may have noticed something different about the restaurant at 1668 E. Main St.
While the smell of freshly brewed coffee and pancakes may have remained the same, the sign from the road reading “The Gathering Place” indicates a change.
Inside, August Kuehn helps to take orders and run the business that he now co-owns with his wife, Cindy.
The Gathering place is open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday.
On Fridays, the restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Kuehns purchased the diner Feb. 13, after East Main Diner owners Jim and Dannelle Moody announced that they would be retiring after 19 years of running the business. The restaurant officially opened as The Gathering Place on Feb. 17.
Kuehn said it was perfect timing.
“Being in the restaurant business is something that I have wanted to do for a long time,” Kuehn said. “And all the pieces just kind of fit together to make this work.”
In May 2016, Kuehn graduated with his business degree from Bethel College. As an avid food lover, he said he had been looking for an opportunity to run a restaurant. The Niles native said the opportunity to run a restaurant in his hometown was an alluring as well.
The restaurant serves primarily breakfast and lunch, except for Fridays, when they are also open for dinner. Menu items include such diner delights like waffles, breakfast burritos and biscuits and gravy for breakfast and lunch items like homemade macaroni and cheese.
Kuehn has never run a restaurant before, but he does have business experience. Before operating the new restaurant, he worked as a business administrator for a church in Granger. He also said Cindy worked in the fast food business before.
Together, he and Cindy wanted to create a space where people could gather, relax and enjoy a fresh meal, influencing the restaurant’s name: The Gathering Place.
“What we want to offer is just a place for you and family and friends to come and sit and enjoy a good meal.” Kuehn said. “We want to provide that kind of an atmosphere, and give you some fresh food as well.”
The coffee is roasted in Mishawaka and freshly ground. Everything else, from the hamburgers to the salads, uses the freshest products, he said.
A few staples that customers enjoyed on the East Main Diner menu will remain, including the fish sandwich and the biscuits and gravy, though Kuehn said they use their own recipe for this menu favorite.
The restaurant will also offer cupcakes baked fresh by Cindy. On Thursday, chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting were displayed in a case on the counter.
Kuehn said he also kept a few of the original employees, while adding some new employees to their team of seven.
Kuehn said customers have responded favorably.
“They have been real positive and they have liked the changes we have made,” Kuehn said. “It has been good to see the regulars here.”
In the week since the restaurant has been open, Kuehn said he hopes to offer his hometown a comfortable place to refuel.
“People have long days. People have tough days,” Kuehn said. “If we can provide a place where they can come and relax for awhile that is what we want to do.”