Antiques Club of the Finger Lakes: New Life for an Historic Geneva Diner

The Antiques Club of the Finger Lakes will present the program, “New Life for an Historic Geneva Diner” at the Geneva History Museum on Saturday, November 14 at 2:00 p.m.

The program will be presented by Gerry Collins with commentary by Lowell Dewey. Built around 1932 or 1933, the diner originally operated next to a Texaco gas station on Routes 5 & 20. It was last known as Patti’s Lakeview Diner. The diner served the community for over 70 years at its original location before closing down in 2004, after which the site eventually became a hotel parking lot.

The old dining car was moved behind a local sewage treatment plant, where it was abandoned for 15 years. It was finally purchased and restored by Gerry Collins, who lives in Tompkins County. He wants the restored diner to return to Geneva near its original Lake Street site and is working with officials to make that happen. Lowell Dewey, a retired professional engineer, is a board member of the Industrial Development Agency, and will discuss the process for the diner’s return to Geneva.

The program is sponsored by the Antiques Club in cooperation with Historic Geneva. It is free and the public is invited.

The Antiques Club of the Finger Lakes is in its 51st year. Through the years, the club has held over 350 programs that are free and open to the public. It also plans field trips and social events for members. Membership is $15 per year and is open to everyone. See the Antiques Club Facebook page for more news.