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The Little Falls Diner

@littlefallsdiner

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Made by Master Diners circa 1947. Follow the journey of bringing this diner back to life!
Want to help? Reach out to: @danamschaeffer

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Let's be honest: Jersey diners are kinda on the ropes. 🤕 First we lost lots of 24-hour diners, then some of the legit classics faded away. 🥺 A Little Falls native didn't want to see her local diner go down, too.

To be clear, the Little Falls Diner has been closed for a looooong time (TBH, it looks a lot worse now than it does in the photos here). Little Falls native Dana Schaeffer doesn't care. She says it's her mission to save the old diner that holds memories for her and others. Dana's got a day job, but she's become sort of an advocate for the old diner, trying to figure out ways to save it.

" I think in order to do some impossible things, you have to be a little crazy. It’s going to be a long road. It’s going to be a hard road. But it will be possible.” ✍️ Reporting by Lauren Musni / NJ.com by @littlefallsdiner

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a year ago

Little Falls Diner in Little Falls is a 1947 Masters Diner that Dana Schaeffer is determined to save. The diner has been closed since 1992 but Dana has been lobbying to save it and other New Jersey diners like it on savenjdiners.com #Dinersofnyc #savenewjerseydiners #littlefallsdiner #diners #newjersey taken in Little Falls, New Jersey by @littlefallsdiner

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3 months ago

Had a quick but awesome chat with @guyfieri at @chickenguy about something close to my heart — keeping diners alive in today’s ever-changing world.

I’ve met Guy a few times, but this was a conversation I’ve always wanted to have with him. We talked about the challenges of keeping a classic diner standing, and how adapting to today’s culture while preserving tradition is key.

My plans for Little Falls Diner are shifting, but I haven’t given up. I’ve learned you can have all the tools and the right people at your fingertips, but it takes the support of an entire community to bring something like this to life, especially the decision-makers.

Beyond the officials, I need the support of people like Guy — those who can help shine a light on small but powerful places like this. I know this diner has the potential to AGAIN, be a beloved part of the Little Falls community for generations to come, but it takes a collective vision to make it happen. I’m ready to carry the weight of this responsibility — I just need others to see the possibilities and believe in it as much as I do.

I’m working on new ways to make sure this diner doesn’t just survive, but thrives. And hopefully, when the doors finally open, Guy will be stepping foot inside to see it all come full circle. Thank you all for the continued support and inspiration! 🙏❤️ taken in New Jersey by @littlefallsdiner

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2 years ago

Hi everyone -

I know there’s a LOT of questions on what’s happening with the diner, and honestly… I really can’t give you an answer because I don’t even know at this point.

I’m not going to get into it at this moment but I did want to share a picture that’s circulating today. Yes, the diner is in shambles… yes, I hate it too. If I had it my way, three years later… today… the diner would’ve already been up and running… but unfortunately some people don’t see it the way all of us do, and this is how history gets lost.

One thing that is absolutely not acceptable no matter the stage of this diners decay is destroying it more by taking pieces of it, littering, or vandalizing it.

There’s cameras everywhere, please keep that in mind. Smile. 😁

With that said, it’s not over till the lady sings and I’m always up for a “Hail Mary”…. Message me if you’re willing to make the impossible, possible.

Thanks for your continued support throughout this crazy journey, and remember… cherish the historic landmarks we have while we still have it. ❤️🙏 taken in Little Falls, New Jersey by @littlefallsdiner

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7 months ago

“This Is: Little Falls Diner” watch the full documentary on YouTube! @littlefallsdiner @danamschaeffer
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#youtube #reels #trailer #northernboundproductions #documentary taken in Little Falls, New Jersey by @littlefallsdiner

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8 months ago

Such a great segment done by @cbsmornings on diners with @tonydokoupil & @phil.rosenthal - who was SPOT ON about diners and WHY they’re so important.

I’ve now boarded up the diner so it’s completely sealed and I’m hoping… PRAYING it can stay in the town it’s been in for almost 100 years.

I knew this road wouldn’t be easy, but it’s not stopping me and I will not stop until it’s either reopened or completely leveled. I’m being realistic, but in order to do the impossible you need to dream, you need to be a little ✨ delusional ✨

So here’s me, giving praise to CBS Mornings, Tony and Phil for sharing an incredible and important story… and just praying that this video will maybe, reach the right hands of support. 🙏 taken in New Jersey by @littlefallsdiner

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a year ago

As the first photographer to photograph every diner in New York City, I’m often asked if I’ll cover New Jersey diners next. My answer is no! I’ve got my hands full with NYC diners, besides local Jersey historians and photographers can do it better. But, after many years of recommendations and nagging, I finally checked out a few. New Jersey, the world’s diner capital, lived up to the hype. Don’t miss White Mana, Tick Tock, and Park West and check out Save New Jersey Diners. #diner #newjerseydiners #dinersofnyc #ticktockdiner #ticktockdinernj #whitemanadiner #littlefallsdiner #parkwestdiner #americana #roadsideamerica #newjersey #retro #kullmansdiner taken in Tick Tock Diner NJ by @littlefallsdiner

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a year ago

Here’s a sneak peek of what our writers are working on for our next newsletter. Hint: the location is one anyone from town knows well! Right by the corner of Little Falls Turnpike (Paterson Avenue) and Main Street. 📍

Do you have old photos you would want to share or even donate to the Historical Society? Let us know! Even if you’re not sure if it’s Little Falls, we’d love to take a look. 📸📽️🎞️

To see the upcoming story, please consider becoming a member which includes the newsletter in your mailbox! 📰📬

#oldmaps #sanborn #history #localhistory #passaiccounty #blackandwhitephotography #1800s #1900s #bar #sneakpeek #teaser #donate #historicalsociety taken in Little Falls, New Jersey by @littlefallsdiner

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a year ago

I FOUND A DINER IN ITALY!!

Just another reason I love Florence so much, it has a diner that makes you feel like you’re stepping back into the 1950’s.

@1950americandiner.official

While the 1950 American Diner isn’t an “authentic” one, it reminds us of something important. Diners aren’t just restaurants… they’re community hubs. They were built to be an experience, welcoming, and open to everyone at all hours. They’re places where stories are shared, friendships are made, and generations gather.

And while New Jersey is known as the diner capital, their influence goes far beyond state lines, and even across the world!! But if we keep allowing these diners to close, we’re not just losing a building, we’re losing history, character, and a unique presence.

That’s why it’s so important to preserve and protect them. I started a new website, SaveNJDiners.com (link in bio) with the hope it can grow a community as strong as the ones diners have created for decades.

This truly made my day seeing this as I walked the small streets of Florence, and it almost felt like a sign telling me to “keep going.” 🥰 taken in Florence, Italy by @littlefallsdiner

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a year ago

The shuttered Little Falls Diner in New Jersey is a special part of Dana Schaeffer’s past. Now she’s on a mission to give it a future.

The historic @littlefallsdiner never reopened after a fire broke out in the basement back in March 1995. Schaeffer remembers walking past the shuttered diner as a child with her parents — and being intrigued with the scene inside, visible but inaccessible, so close yet a world away.

A generation later, @danamschaeffer is still holding onto that childlike wonder and now has a chance to save the diner.

But it won’t be easy.

Schaeffer discovered that saving the diner will likely require moving the building to a better location — and raising a lot of money.

The Little Falls community and owners of nearby diners have been supportive of Schaeffer’s endeavors. But she would learn those diners could use a little help, too, facing a myriad of struggles.

That’s why she created savenjdiners.com, a website generating awareness and support for the state’s diner legacy and preservation.

New Jersey was once home to diner manufacturers that have long since gone out of business, and the Jersey diner is a staple of the Garden State’s identity, a source of pride and a place of comfort.

Dana wants to make sure they have a future.

Watch the report from @abc7ny @localish @localishfood and tell us about your favorite diner.

#savenjdiners #diners #newjerseyphotographer #newjersey taken in Little Falls, New Jersey by @littlefallsdiner

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a year ago

Part of my job with the newly given title as “diner advocate” is to share the diners across NJ and the US that are opening, closing, surviving, or thriving.

I’m happy to report that @roadsidedinernewjersey is THRIVING! I loved being at the grand opening, surrounded by diner historians and friends, owners and supporters… all under one roof, supporting a great business and family. I said it a million times before — diners are more than a place to dine, it’s a community, a family and a safe space where everyone is welcomed.

This diner is in good hands. A big congrats to Maria and Nick Kallas & family for keeping another classic alive and ensuring future generations get to enjoy authentic New Jersey dining and history.

Thank you @news12nj for highlighting businesses like this, and supporting diner stories across NJ.

Go follow & support @roadsidedinernewjersey ! taken in New Jersey by @littlefallsdiner

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a year ago

Featured in our most recent newsletter is an article on 1959 PVHS graduate Michael Peter Smith’s song “Little Falls”. You can hear the entire thing on YouTube (link in bio) where he mentions @pvhs_hornets , @littlefallsdiner and others. Did you ever hear this song?

To receive the newsletter and see all kinds of things about Little Falls’ history you probably never knew, simply become a member! Visit our website for details.

@geer_street_records #folkmusician #folkmusic #passaicvalleyhighschool #1994 #littlefallsnj taken in Little Falls, New Jersey by @littlefallsdiner

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