29 Diner facts for kids
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29 Diner
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Exterior of the 29 Diner
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 Location in Fairfax
Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 10536 Lee Hwy., Fairfax, Virginia |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1947 |
| Architect | Mountain View Diner Co. |
| Architectural style | Moderne |
| MPS | Diners of Virginia MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001370 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 29, 1992 |
The 29 Diner is a famous old-fashioned restaurant called a diner located in Fairfax, Virginia. You can find it at 10536 Fairfax Boulevard, which is also part of U.S. Route 29 and U.S. Route 50. It's just a short drive west of where the Boulevard meets Chain Bridge Road.
Contents
History of the 29 Diner
The 29 Diner first opened its doors on July 20, 1947. It was built by a company called Mountain View Diners from New Jersey. A man named D.T. "Bill" Glascock bought the diner and had it moved to his land in Fairfax, Virginia.
Early Years and New Owners
Bill Glascock and his wife, Elvira "Curly," ran the diner for many years. After that, they leased the building to different business owners. In 1973, another diner company, Tastee Diner, bought the location. It then became known as the Tastee 29 Diner.
Becoming a Historic Landmark
In 1992, the diner was recognized as a very important historic site. An expert named Marc Christian Wagner wrote about why it was special. He said that the Tastee 29 Diner was a rare example of the old-style diners from the 1940s. It was unusual to find one still standing and still open for business.
Because of its unique history and design, the Tastee 29 Diner was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. This means it's protected as an important part of history.
Return to Original Name and Recent Times
In the late 1990s, Fredy and Ginger Guevara bought the diner. Ginger had even worked there as a waitress in the 1960s! They decided to change its name back to the original "29 Diner."
For many years, the diner was open 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas. In 2009, during some tough economic times, it started closing on Monday nights. However, by 2014, it was back to being open 24 hours a day.
In May 2014, the Guevaras' business closed. But a local person from Fairfax, John Wood, quickly took over the lease. He planned to reopen the diner that summer. After a few delays, the diner reopened to the public just after midnight on September 11, 2014. It was open 24 hours from Tuesday through Sunday, and closed on Mondays.
In November 2021, a small chemical fire near the kitchen caused the diner to close temporarily. The community quickly started a fundraising campaign to help it reopen.
Diner Culture and Famous Visitors
The 29 Diner is not just a restaurant; it's also a part of the local culture in Fairfax.
Local Traditions
Fairfax, Virginia's mayor, Robert Lederer, has a tradition of eating at the 29 Diner every Thanksgiving.
Celebrity Sightings
In 1999, John Walsh, who hosted the TV show America's Most Wanted, visited the diner. He even had two bodyguards with him!
Featured in Comics
The 29 Diner has also appeared in popular culture. Bill Griffith featured the diner in his comic strip Zippy the Pinhead on July 23, 2003, and again on April 21, 2012.
