Fire To Close Westmont Diner For Longer Than Expected

HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ — The recent fire at The Westmont Diner will keep the restaurant closed for longer than ownership initially expected.

The Haddon Township eatery has been closed since a kitchen fire broke out early Wednesday morning.

Initially, the restaurant expected to shutter for two weeks, while warning that it could take longer to reopen. On Thursday, The Westmont Diner announced it will stay closed for an estimated 3 to 6 months.

"This diner is more than just a restaurant—it’s a community," the business said on social media. "It’s where friendships have been made, where families gather after church or a game, where we know your names (and your coffee orders). Our staff is like family, and we’re doing everything in our power to make sure they’re taken care of during this difficult time."

The Westmont Diner has launched a GoFundMe to continue paying staff while they're closed and to fund repairs.

"While the fire was thankfully contained and no one was hurt, the impact on our operations is significant," Tara Shinn, the diner's director of operations, wrote on the GoFundMe. "At this time, we’re unsure how long the remediation process will take or what the total cost will be."