The Diner, a nostalgic 1950s theme concept, is expected to open in early April at 2900 Tuttle across from Papacita's and behind Jason's Deli, according to one of the partners in the enterprise.
The location was originally the home of Winger's. The Diner will feature "from scratch" cooking a full breakfast, luncheon blue plate specials and evening specials on Friday and Saturday, she said.
The Diner will open at 6 a.m. six days a week and close at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The restaurant will be open until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and closed on Sunday.
The partner said breakfast, including homemade biscuits and gravy, will be served throughout the day. Homemade onion rings and fresh cut french fries along with old fashioned malts and shakes will be served with entrees such as chicken fried steak, steak fingers, hamburgers and homemade pies.
For coffee lovers, freshly ground brew will be available throughout the day.
The atmosphere will include a jukebox playing 1950s era music and paintings depicting scenes reminiscent of that time.
— Fast food history
Time is running out for patrons of the Alpine Road What-A-Burger to get one last burger at the location.
A piece of East Texas fast food history will be going by the wayside after Monday. That's the last day of operations for the What-A-Burger at 1204 Alpine Road, according to Douglas Edwards, director of operations for What-A-Burger of East Texas.
The location has been in operation for more than 30 years and represents a first, not only for local outlets but the What-A-Burger chain as a whole, in that it was the first location to have a drive through window, he said.
Edwards said the site holds a lot of sentimental value for Roy Haase, founder and owner of What-A-Burger of East Texas. The Alpine Road location was the second in what was to become a chain of East Texas locations for Haase.
"It really helped build What-A-Burger of East Texas," Edwards said. While the location holds sentimental value for its owner — and probably hundreds of customers who have patronized the restaurant over the decades — it is too small and the lot is sits on is too small to handle an expansion or major makeover, Edwards said.
While no plans are firmed up yet, Edwards said company representatives are considering new What-A-Burger sites on U.S. 259 North in Longview along with possible locations in White Oak and Gladewater. Staffers of the Alpine Road What-A-Burger will be transferred to other company locations, he said.
— Henderson Combined Group opens second location in Gladewater
Mitch Henderson, president and CEO of Henderson Combined Group of Companies, Inc., has announced the opening of the company's second location in Gladewater.
Through a financial grant with Gladewater Economic Development Corp., Henderson Combined Group was able to acquire the property and make a substantial investment in the extensive truck yards and loading docks, resulting in 11 new jobs and six seasonal jobs, he said.
The Henderson Group is an umbrella company with divisions that include Flying H Trucking, Freedom Diesel Service, Henderson Corrugated Boxes, Henderson Insurance and HGC Warehousing Company.
The Henderson Combined Group Warehouse Division stores more than 1 million corrugated boxes and plastics at the new 25,000-square-foot facility. The company is a manufacturer's representative and service center for the Wyerhaeuser Corp.
— Mike Elswick is the business editor of the Longview News-Journal. He can be reached at (903) 237-7737 or at: melswick@longview-news.com
