Celebrate 60 years of the B’ville Diner this weekend
When you think of staples in the Baldwinsville business community, the B’ville Diner must certainly come to mind.
First established as Grady’s Diner, the Baldwinsville business has remained a fixture in the community for more than 75 years. This weekend, it will celebrate 60 years as the B’ville Diner.
“The diner has been an institution in the heart of Baldwinsville for so many years, it’s a slice of good ole Americana and a historic roadside diner,” said Mike Chemotti, who currently owns the B’ville Diner along with his wife, Laurie, and co-owners Jim and Laura Orlando. “Celebrating the establishment’s anniversary with America’s Independence seems appropriate,” Mike added.
The 60th anniversary celebration will be held Friday and Saturday behind the diner. Both nights will feature free entertainment, food, fun and a family atmosphere under a large tent in the parking lot.
“We will be selling beer, wine, hotdogs, hamburgers, sausage sandwiches and BBQ pork sandwiches,” Mike said. “The diner will also be open for all your everyday favorites as well.”
The event will also feature a celebrity.
“Ron Palillo, Horshack from the 70’s sitcom ‘Welcome Back Kotter’ will be on hand both nights to sign autographs,” Mike said.
Grady’s Diner opened in 1934 at 18 East Genesee St. in the village, where it still remains. Purchased by the Younis Family in 1950, the diner underwent a name change, which it maintains to this day — the B’ville Diner. In 2002, the Orlando Family purchased the B’ville Diner and the Chemotti Family joined as partners in the business in 2006.
Having been a staple in the business district for more than 60 years, the diner means a lot to the local community.
“The B’ville Diner is one of the largest private employers within the village with more than 50 employees,” Mike said.
According to Mike, the B’ville Diner is also committed to community involvement, contributing to every major sporting activity in the local school district, as well as local little league baseball, Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, VFW, Theater Guild and many other civic not-for-profit organizations. He said the diner also supports many fundraising organizations including Make-A-Wish Foundation, American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the American Kidney Foundation, just to name a few.
“The Orlando and Chemotti families would like to thank all our patrons for their support over the years, and we look forward to supporting the community and our customers for many more years to come,” Mike said.
For more information about the 24-hour, seven-days-a-week business, call 635-3180 or visit bvillediner.com.
John O’Neill, left, and Linda Fraher, both of Baldwinsville, are friends and regular customers at the B’ville Diner. Both have been previously employed there, Fraher as a waitress 30 years ago and O’Neill as a maintenance worker from 2002 to 2005. O’Neill, who is affectionately referred to as “Pappy” by employees and locals, visits the diner every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, where Fraher meets up with him. “Everybody knows the B’ville Diner,” Fraher said.
