Historic Stamford Diner Rebounds From Coronavirus 'Nightmare'

STAMFORD, CT — Jane Agostino still remembers the shock she felt when it was clear her diner would need to shut down its dining room in March due to the coronavirus. Though she had owned and operated Lakeside Diner for over three decades at this point, she had never experienced anything like this.

While speaking by phone from the diner this week, she described that day, which happened to be St. Patrick's Day, as "a nightmare." (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"It was such a shock," Agostino said to Patch. "Emotions were riding so high, and I had a lot of sleepless nights...it was very, very emotional."

Agostino initially thought the popular diner, located right off exit 34 of the Merritt Parkway on Long Ridge Road for over 50 years, would only need to close to the public for a few weeks. It ended up being exactly three months.

"Obviously, as time went on, it was clear this was going to be a much longer ordeal than I originally thought," Agostino said. "It's just been an ordeal, let me put it that way."

Though the diner's story is similar to many restaurants hit hard by the virus, also referred to as COVID-19, few places in Stamford can boast the kind of history Lakeside can. Much of the diner looks the same as it did when it opened in the late 1950's. According to Agostino, even the counters and stools are the same ones that were in place six decades ago.

The diner's origins even predate Agostino's time in charge. In an interview with Patch earlier this year, Agostino said Lakeside Diner was first run out of a trailer in 1951 before moving operations to the current building a few years later.

Agostino and her husband purchased the diner in 1987, and she has been working hard at running the local favorite ever since.

See also: Hidden Gems Of Connecticut: Lakeside Diner In Stamford

The big draw is in the name, as the diner sits alongside a peaceful lake, and large windows enable customers to get a great view of the water and its natural inhabitants. While any typical spring would see patrons flocking to get a seat by the lake while enjoying their breakfast, that view could only be seen by Agostino and her staff for the past few months.

"It was really surreal," Agostino said. "I would be here all day by myself...and constantly shaking my head."

The diner was finally able to welcome customers back inside last week, however Agostino emphasized she never stopped working. The diner continued offering takeout throughout the temporary shut down, while the owner herself has been on the premises every day since St. Patrick's Day to ensure things run smoothly.

"I was never going to throw in the towel, that's for sure," Agostino said. "We were going to take whatever came our way."

After first opening a small space for outdoor dining, the diner was finally able to allow customers back inside, albeit while following social distancing and other health department guidelines, on June 17. Agostino only welcomed nine customers inside that day and immediately began to worry this could be Lakeside's new normal.

Thankfully, things have continued to improve.

"As days have gone on, more and more people have come out," Agostino said. "We had a fantastic Father's Day weekend, so that gives me hope things might go back to normal someday. It was wonderful."

Though it may not be just like the old days at Lakeside Diner yet, Agostino is glad she can welcome customers inside and serve them breakfast, or perhaps coffee and a donut, once again.

"We are on our way, slowly but surely," Agostino said. "I'm still surviving, and I'm still going to give it everything I've got to get through all of this."