White Crystal Diner Timeline...

1955-1957
The White Crystal Diner was originally located at 305 South Avenue, Cranford, NJ. Mr. Robert C. Swisher and Mr. Howard Scalzo purchased the White Crystal Diner from Kullman Diners in 1955; they operated the diner for a few years until Kullman repossessed her. Robert Greco and his brother owned Greco’s Garage on South Avenue next door to the White Crystal. They also owned the land that was rented to Swisher & Scalzo. I spoke to Mr. Greco at his home in Florida and he told me that Kullman came in the middle of the night, pulled her off her foundation, disconnected all the utilities and hauled her to their lot. Today, the lots where the diner and garage were located are now home to a Commerce Bank.

1957–1960
Kullman Diners Storage Lot

1960-2000
Mr. Joseph Natale purchased the White Crystal Diner from Kullman and opened in 1960 in Atlantic Highlands, NJ at 20 Center Ave where she served countless cups of coffee and meals for 40 years. The diner was passed on to Anthony, Mr. Natale’s oldest Son and he operated her until she closed on October 12, 2000. Anthony’s Mother Carmella “Molly” worked there until the diner closed, she was 90. At the age of 95 today, Molly is excited that the old girl is getting restored.

Anthony “Moose” now owns a Stewart’s Root Beer Drive-In Restaurant on Rte. 36 in Highlands, NJ. We drove there to visit with him and talk about the White Crystal. Anthony supplied us with MANY vintage photos, articles, and stories and gave us a few priceless artifacts from when she opened; the gas fired, double urn coffee brewer, a few remaining slate blue-grey dishes, two pie crust scorers, potato cutter, two glass individual creamers and an original menu. From the stories Anthony told, it seemed that the White Crystal was the place to hang out, play jokes on people, especially Anthony, and of course, eat a great meal. Anthony’s three siblings, Joseph, Dominick and Virginia all worked at the diner as kids, but only Anthony stayed on to run the diner to the end.

2000-2003
The land was sold for commercial development and the diner was sold to Mr. Kevin Morrall. She was moved off her lot and stored on another lot until the Town ordered her to be moved. The White Crystal was then turned over to Steve Harwin of Diversified Diners and moved to Cleveland, Ohio for restoration. Mr. Morrall and Mr. Harwin both did us all a great favor by saving this priceless Landmark from the wrecking ball.

2003-Today
The White Crystal Diner was stored at Diversified Diners lot in Cleveland, Ohio. On February 9th, 2005, Danny Boyle and Gary Fields of Springfield, Massachusetts purchased the diner. Steve Harwin and his Crew restored her to her original luster and unique charm. She was scheduled to be moved onto her new foundation on Main Street in Springfield, Massachusetts in the Spring of 2006. Permits were issued from Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York to transport her. We were less than 50 miles away on paper and the State of Massachusetts DENIED a permit and REFUSED to help us find a route to bring her in. So, the diner is for sale and Massachusetts lost out on ANOTHER new business and the chance to be home to unique piece of Americana.