GoFundMe To Save Diner In Westfield Has Raised More Than 30K

WESTFIELD, NJ — A GoFundMe fundraiser to save a popular Westfield diner from closing had earned more than $30,000 as of Wednesday morning.

Patricia Steckler organized the fundraiser on behalf Vicki's Diner owners Peter and Helen Rentoulis.

On the site, she wrote, "Vicki's Diner is a joyful gathering place in downtown Westfield. Peter and Helen Rentoulis have owned Vicki's for more than 20 years. They welcome everyone with warmth, humor, and delicious food."

She added, "Sadly, since March and the pandemic, they have depleted their savings in order to pay their staff and cover their diner expenses. Let's help them with financial support to show how grateful we are to them. And to keep Vicki's going, as a vital institution in our town!"

A total of 330 people donated amounts of up to $1,000 between Aug. 30 and Wednesday morning.

"Vicki's diner is a family owned business and cornerstone of our community," wrote Erin O'Bryan on the fundraising page. "The owners are kind, generous people who have employed the same staff for years. Downtowns need more places like this and I'm glad to help them."

Success and Westfield dining rules

The effort appears to have helped. On Sunday, the owners told NJ.com that with outdoor and limited indoor dining, and the donations, they will "make it through."

In Westfield and elsewhere in New Jersey, restaurants are now allowed to operate indoors at 25 percent capacity, as well as outdoors and through delivery. Read more about dining rules and initiatives in Westfield here.

Diners have long been a popular staple of New Jersey life. The website for the state library explains why: "Descended from the horse-drawn lunch wagons in Providence, Rhode Island, New Jersey’s diner history began July 3, 1912, when Jerry O’Mahony started making lunch wagons and established the Jerry O’Mahony Diner Company in Elizabeth, which produced 2,000 diners from 1917 to 1941." New Jersey's central location allowed the prefabricated buildings to be sent around the East Coast.

Struggling businesses

A number of popular restaurants in North Jersey have had to close up shop as a result of the pandemic, including in Hoboken and Maplewood. Read more here.

New Jersey has made a number of options available for its struggling businesses, including PPP loans. Read more here.

Westfield also has had some of its own initiatives. Read more about those and statewide initiatives here.

If you're an employee who needs benefits to help with rent or more, click this story and scroll down for information: Westfield Schools Open For Students Thursday; Coronavirus Update

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