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 classic American diner located in the City of 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 a well-known spot in the area, famous for its long history and traditional diner style.
Contents
The History of 29 Diner
The 29 Diner first opened its doors on July 20, 1947. It was built by a company called the Mountain View Diners Company from Singac, New Jersey.
Who Started the 29 Diner?
A man named D.T. "Bill" Glascock bought the diner. He had it shipped all the way to a piece of land he owned in Fairfax, Virginia. Bill and his wife, Elvira "Curly," managed the diner themselves for the first few years. After that, they rented the building to other business owners.
When Did the Diner Become Historic?
In 1973, the Tastee Diner company took over the location. It was then known as the Tastee 29 Diner. In 1992, the diner was officially recognized as a historic site. An expert named Marc Christian Wagner wrote about its importance. He said that the Tastee 29 Diner was a rare example of old-style diners from the 1940s. It was special because it was still standing and still open for business. Because of its unique history, the Tastee 29 Diner was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Changes in Ownership and Hours
In the late 1990s, Fredy and Ginger Guevara bought the diner. Ginger used to be a waitress there 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 Day. In 2009, during a tough economic time, it started closing on Monday nights. However, by 2014, it went back to being open 24 hours a day.
In May 2014, the diner closed under the Guevaras' ownership. But a local person from Fairfax, John Wood, quickly took over the lease. He planned to reopen it that summer. After a few delays, the diner reopened to the public on September 11, 2014. It was open 24 hours from Tuesday through Sunday, and closed on Mondays.
In November 2021, a small fire near the kitchen caused the diner to close again. The community started a special fundraising effort to help it reopen.
Famous Visitors and Mentions
The 29 Diner has seen some interesting visitors and has been featured in popular culture.
Who Has Visited the Diner?
Fairfax, Virginia, mayor Robert Lederer has a tradition of eating at the 29 Diner every Thanksgiving. John Walsh, who hosted the TV show America's Most Wanted, visited the diner in 1999.
Where Has the Diner Been Featured?
The diner has even appeared in a comic strip! Bill Griffith included the 29 Diner in his comic Zippy the Pinhead on July 23, 2003, and again on April 21, 2012.
Images for kids
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Exterior of the 29 Diner
