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'Sit 'n Chat' at the diner

| 01 Dec 2016 | 12:54
    Photo by ANN GENADER The new owner/operator of the diner is Eric Blasone with his Sit n’ Chat Diner and Family Restaurant. At the ribbon cutting on Nov. 19 are from left are West Milford Chamber of Commerce representative Andy Abdul, West Milford Mayor Bettina Bieri, Blasone and his family and friends.
    Photo by ANN GENADER The new owner/operator of the diner is Eric Blasone with his Sit n’ Chat Diner and Family Restaurant. At the ribbon cutting on Nov. 19 are from left are West Milford Chamber of Commerce representative Andy Abdul, West Milford Mayor Bettina Bieri, Blasone and his family and friends.
    Photo by Mark Cranston The grand opening of the Sit 'n Chat Diner on Greenwood Lake Turnpike (the former West Milford Diner) had a fun atmosphere, and included pony rides and bouncy houses for kids.
    Photo by Mark Cranston The grand opening of the Sit 'n Chat Diner on Greenwood Lake Turnpike (the former West Milford Diner) had a fun atmosphere, and included pony rides and bouncy houses for kids.
    'Sit 'n Chat' at the diner
    hoto File 1953 – Courtesy West Milford Museum Carl’s Diner at 2020 Greenwood Lake Turnpike., Hewitt, owned and operated by Carl Thomaier at 2020 Greenwood Lake Turnpike., Hewitt in the 1940s and 50s, faced Greenwood Lake Turnpike. — — — — — — — — — — — — — - Photo File 1954 – Photo by ANN GENADER George Petru’s diner at 2020 Greenwood Lake Turnpike. replaced Carl’s Diner and faces a large parking lot. The new owner/operator of the diner is Eric Blasone with his Sit n’ Chat Diner and Family Restaurant. At the ribbon cutting on Nov. 19 are from left are West Milford Chamber of Commerce representative Andy Abdul, West Milford Mayor Bettina Bieri, Blasone and his family and friends.
    hoto File 1953 – Courtesy West Milford Museum Carl’s Diner at 2020 Greenwood Lake Turnpike., Hewitt, owned and operated by Carl Thomaier at 2020 Greenwood Lake Turnpike., Hewitt in the 1940s and 50s, faced Greenwood Lake Turnpike. — — — — — — — — — — — — — - Photo File 1954 – Photo by ANN GENADER George Petru’s diner at 2020 Greenwood Lake Turnpike. replaced Carl’s Diner and faces a large parking lot. The new owner/operator of the diner is Eric Blasone with his Sit n’ Chat Diner and Family Restaurant. At the ribbon cutting on Nov. 19 are from left are West Milford Chamber of Commerce representative Andy Abdul, West Milford Mayor Bettina Bieri, Blasone and his family and friends.
    Photo courtesy of West Milford Museum Carl's Diner, circa 1950s, was the original diner at the site of 2020 Greenwood Lake Turnpike. Now, the Sit n' Chat Diner and Family Restaurant is serving patrons.
    Photo courtesy of West Milford Museum Carl's Diner, circa 1950s, was the original diner at the site of 2020 Greenwood Lake Turnpike. Now, the Sit n' Chat Diner and Family Restaurant is serving patrons.

BY ANN GENADER
HEWITT — Ever since Mayor Bettina Bieri cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the new Sit ‘n Chat Diner and Family Restaurant at 2020 Greenwood Lake Turnpike in Hewitt, the business has been flourishing at a non-stop pace. The grand opening was Nov. 19. This is the former West Milford Diner.
On opening day, activities that are fun for kids were featured outside the restaurant. A bouncy house, face painting and pony rides – all free of charge – had kids asking their parents to take them there. A pony named “Chocolate Chip” won many hearts. Restaurant owner – operator Eric Blasone of Sparta is so busy with his new business that he barely has time to turn around.
Blasone stressed that he wants the public to know he is grateful to his patrons for the overwhelming support that they continue to give him and his business. He said he is dedicated to his goal of providing big portions of delicious food.
The proprietor has been in the food business for a dozen or so years. His earliest restaurant experience was at Skinny’s in Jefferson Township.
Some of the customers at the new restaurant already knew Blasone from his recent venture to open the Chat ’n’ Chew 2 Diner and Pancake House in Butler. Others were familiar with his original Chat ’n Chew Diner and Pancake House in Franklin, which continues operating. The Butler eatery closed after operating for about a year; it had replaced “Mac’s Diner," a popular Route 23 diner for many years.
Blasone’s diner is actually the second one at the Hewitt location. Earlier Carl Thomaier operated Carl’s Diner there in the 1940s and 50s. That diner was smaller and faced Greenwood Lake Turnpike with only space for a couple of cars to park out front. The larger, more modern diner on the site today was built by George Petrou who operated it for many years. He sold the diner and retired.


Essential Information
Sit 'n Chat Diner and Family Restaurant
2020 Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Hewitt