Shuttered Bendix Diner Owner Vows To Reopen After Forced Closure

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — John Diakakis, the co-owner of the 78-year-old Bendix Diner in Bergen County, said he's doing everything in his power to reopen the popular eatery after town officials shut it down on Friday.

Diakakis, who is blind, acknowledged Wednesday that the diner was shut due to longtime problems with the fire suppression system. He said his mother — the former owner — was sick last year, and after her death in November, it was difficult to fix the issues in time.

"I worked every single day up until her services," Diakakis told Patch on Wednesday. "I just felt kind of lost Friday when they came with the tape and everything like that."

He said he had asked for a little more time to fix the problems, and is still working constantly to try to get the building up to code.

After news spread about the diner being shut on Friday, supporters of Diakakis and the restaurant have been rallying to save it. (Diakakis said that he and his two siblings each own a third of it now.)

"All funding raised will be going to John and the Bendix in order to update and replace the fire suppression system, as well as any structural updates needed to support the new system," wrote a supporter on a GoFundMe fundraiser that started on Tuesday.

Popular Landmark

Nearly anyone who's traveled through Bergen County on a regular basis has seen the diner, located at the crux of busy Route 17 and Williams Avenue in Hasbrouck Heights. During the day, truckers often fill the wide lot in front.

And those who love New Jersey's classic diners have filmed videos and documentaries there. Because of the Garden State's location between New York City and Philadelphia, it was historically a popular place to build prefab diners.

Diakakis said on Wednesday, "What I hope can happen is that we can get this place up and running again. Maybe it's a pipe dream."

Diakakis said he has gotten estimates of $100,000 to $120,000 to fix the violations, and needs to raise the funds.

He said his parents bought the diner in 1985, and he became more involved in running it after the covid pandemic.

"The outreach people have given me is humbling," he said. "Sometimes I wonder if I truly deserve it."

He said he misses talking with people in the diner, where he served as a waiter in the past. He said that patrons have told him they were inspired by news reports on him and his blindness — there was even a documentary — and interacting with them, in turn, inspires him.

'I Grew Up In This Diner'

Fans have asked how they can help.

"Any fire suppression experts out there?" wrote a supporter. "Please ... help John save our beloved Bendix Diner! Home of my favorite black n white milkskakes! I’ve been going to the Bendix for more than 35 years! And John called me crazy on Mother’s Day, when this pic was taken because it was where I wanted to go for brunch. And it was fantastic as always!"

Diakakis said anyone with expertise in fire safety can reach out to him by calling the number of the diner, via Facebook, or even by knocking on the side window of the eatery to help.

"I grew up in this diner, as did many of those before me," wrote a supporter on the GoFundMe page on Tuesday. "My family and I may not live in Wood-Ridge anymore, but it is a yearly tradition to see John, get a plate of disco fries, and enjoy a fantastic meal. The Bendix is an icon of the area."

More than $3,500 had been raised by Wednesday night.

The diner opened in 1947. It was named for the Bendix Corporation, which was influential in the area and had a plant nearby at Teterboro Airport.

The fundraiser can be found here.

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