MUSKEGON, Mich. — Iconic Pal's Diner has moved to its new home in Muskegon.
After 25 years in Cascade Township, the former Pal's Diner was loaded up into a semi-truck and moved to its new home at Hot Rod Harley-Davidson in Muskegon Monday morning.
The diner opened in New Jersey in 1954 before arriving in Cascade Township in the 1990s.
The pandemic led to the diner — then called "Dan's" — to close.
Earlier this year, Hot Rod Harley-Davidson owners Scott and Mark Campbell bought the diner.
Its new location will be alongside the dealership, and Scott Campbell says they expect to open next February. He says it's important to him and his family to restore the diner.
"When I was in high school, this is where I went for breakfast," he says. "And my dad always said, 'Man, it would be really cool if we could have that.' So this is kind of been a lifelong dream for my family and my dad, and we're excited to just be able to keep the diner going."
He says there will be some upgrades because of its age, but many of its original features will remain the same.
"We have all the original booths, and we have some of the original jukebox units," Campbell says.
Cascade resident Deb Jackman says she remembers that a lot of the restaurant was pink — from the booths to the parking lot markings outside. She said it was the perfect place for reminiscing.
"It was kind of like comfort food," she says. "You go there and think of the old days, families would go there and take their children and tell their kids about the 50s when grandma and grandpa were young. It was a nice family atmosphere."
And with too many fast food and chain restaurant options out there, she's looking forward to visiting the new location.
"I'm excited for when it opens because I want to go there," Jackman says.
The new location will offer alcohol at first, then expand its food menu.
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