Nancy's Diner Progress Report, Part 1

Originally Published June 21, 2013: Last week we introduced you to Len Abreu, who is about to become the city's newest entreprenuer, as owner of Nancy's Diner at 25 Canal Street.

This week we met Nancy, the heart, soul and face of Nancy's Diner, says her proud husband.

We also promised you weekly updates until the doors open, so here you go:

Favorite Anecdote: Watch the video clip to get the vibe; here's the back story. Nancy Abreu told me that this little guitar was one of her mom's favorite posessions. It used to play "Heartbreak Hotel," by Elvis Presley, before it stopped working. She brought it home with her after her mom died about 10 years ago. It sat silently on a shelf at their house – until recently, when it mysteriously started making noise, on its own. Nancy and Len took it as a good sign, and immediately brought it to the diner, where it now plays on demand, and will have a place of honor.

Decor: Some might call it premature, to hang posters and old record album covers from the '50s, before the walls and fixtures are installed. But Len calls it his inspiration, helping him to keep his eye on the prize (opening his doors by July 1).

Good fortunes: Both Len and his contractor, Mike, got Chinese food takeout last week, and both opened their fortune cookies to find that they had received similar fortune cookies, with messages that they would succeed in business. 

What's old is new: Len and Nancy are trying to repurpose as many things as possible, from the old diner sign that used to hang outside, to some great chairs, which Nancy is single-handedly reupholstering using the skills she gained back in the day at Greater Lawrence Regional Vo-Tech. 

Tentative schedule: By June 24, the bathroom fixtures should be installed, chairs and tables should be ready; by June 27, the kitchen equipment should be in place, floors should be washed and waxed.

I'll check back next week to see how things are coming along. 

Editor's Note: I've imported this story from our old platform, to go along with Nancy's Diner Progress Report, Part 2.