Kenmore Diner owners set to retire as local landmark celebrates its 50th anniversary
James Yantsides, owner of the Kenmore Diner in Worcester, is retiring after 50 years in the hospitality business. In celebration of the Kenmore’s Diner’s 50th anniversary, Yantsides and his wife Pauline will say their final goodbyes from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 15 at the diner. Yantsides sold the business to Christon Paddock of Auburn, who will officially take over on the closing date, Jan. 16. Yantsides remains owner of the building. Deciding to walk away isn’t easy, said Yantsides, who first announced intentions to sell the business on social media. Despite more than 20 responses, Yantsides said he chose Paddock because he felt she was a good fit for the diner. “New owner, same diner name,” he said, adding that he is happy with his decision and has no regrets. His wife agreed, saying, “We felt an immediate connection with Christon.”
“Don’t get me wrong, “I love the diner and my customers, but my wife and I now will have the time to finally go on like our dream adventure,” said Yantsides about retirement. “We’re in good health, our kids are grown and we have great grandkids. If we don’t retire now, then when?” The couple will leave for Greece in May, returning home in September. Yantsides, who is from Greece and his wife, Cyprus, plan to visit with family and friends. “No more worries about the business back home,” said Yantsides. “We will have time to relax and have fun. Drink a little wine, too.”
Making it through 'tough times'
Paddock, who grew up in Spencer, was operations manager at AA Transportation Co. in Shrewsbury. She and her husband, Ryan Paddock, have been married 23 years and have three daughters. Paddock said the couple’s oldest two children will work part-time in the diner. Her father, John Richard, an executive chef who worked at the former Shorah’s Restaurant and former Viva Bene restaurant, both in Worcester, will be helping at the diner for several weeks.
Paddock is a first-time business owner and for the past several months has worked with Yantsides. She said the first question people ask is whether or not the diner will ever go back to overnight hours. “No big changes for the Kenmore,” said Paddock. Hours will be from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. The breakfast menu will remain the same, with several new luncheon items.
“Jimmy and Pauline are a lovely couple and their customers are very loyal. I’m sure they are sad to see the owners leave after so many years,” said Paddock.” I promised Jimmy I would take good care of the Kenmore. It’s like his baby.”
Yantsides as a businessman has gone through good and bad times. “We’ve really made it through some tough times together,” he said about his loyal following. He recalled taking over the Kenmore Diner in 1974 as a massive undertaking since the place had been empty and neglected for years. “We had to use a razor blade to cut through the grease on the marble counter” he said. “Before we got started, you couldn’t tell what color the counter was.”
Yantsides worked three years at Table Talk Pies and a small, lunch counter place on Green Street when he first arrived in Worcester. He smiles when he talks about his wife and their “arranged marriage.” He said he was 16 when his cousin from Worcester wrote him and asked if he wanted to come to America. “Of course, I answered yes,” said Yantsides, who had no idea his cousin was about to set him up with his future wife who lived in Worcester. “I never got details,” said Yantsides. “Well, after a couple of years my cousin finally contacted my father. Pauline arrived in Greece on March 3, 1969. I’ll never forget that day when the taxi pulled into our yard with Pauline in it. The next day it was my birthday.
“April 20, 1969, we were married. “Fifty-four years later I’m still happily married to my wonderful wife, who is my business partner and best friend.” The couple have three children and six grandchildren.
'You never forget those things'
A Franklin Street landmark, the Kenmore Diner at 250 Franklin St., with parking under Interstate 290, not only needed a lot of work, but also customers when Yantsides first bought it. He said he worked hard to build a solid customer base. “In earlier years there were factories operating all around this busy neighborhood,” said Yantsides, “and people came in.” It still was a challenge, he said, explaining that after the first 11 months of owning the place, paying the rent, utility bills and a waitress who helped out, he had $37 left to his name. “You never forget those things,” said Yantsides. “I sometimes thought I might give up, but I didn’t and the business survived. It’s all good.”
In December 1999, Yantsides faced his biggest challenge when the Kenmore Diner became engulfed in flames as a result of the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse Co. fire. The leased diner abutted the warehouse. Yantsides said the diner actually withstood much of the firefighting effort but was later destroyed in demolition.
More: Worcester to mark 24th anniversary of 1999 Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. blaze
When the new diner opened in January 2010, it reverted back to opening around 11 p.m. and closing the next day at noon. The diner’s hours changed after the pandemic and it’s now open from 6 a.m. to noon daily. Visit Facebook for updates about holiday hours, etc.
The Kenmore Diner is where a lot of stories and memories happened.
During the Blizzard of 1978 when everything in the state was closed except for emergency travel, Yantsides let members of the National Guard use the diner to make coffee and cook meals. “I went to the diner to shovel snow and ended up handing over the keys to the guardsmen. I felt sorry for them because they couldn’t even get a cup of coffee,” said Yantsides. “The guardsmen told me not to worry and that they would take care of the place and clean up afterward. I wasn’t worried. They left the place immaculate. I was glad I was able to help. Giving back is what we do.”
More: Talk of Blizzard of '78 heats up with anniversary
Yantsides said one thing he will really miss is the little kids who come to the diner with their parents. He said before they eat some of them come around the counter to give him a hug. I’m like a grandpa,” said Yantisdes. Pancakes are the favorite of kid-friendly breakfasts at the diner, he said.
While most regular customers call Yantsides, “Jimmy,” a nickname that has stuck with him is “Mr. Kenmore.” He said a customer’s daughter called him “Mr. Kenmore” and other people picked up on it. “That little girl is now an adult with her own children and she still calls me “Mr. Kenmore,” said Yantsides.
He said through the years people have given him advice about running the diner. The thing he will always remember is what a former business owner told him.
“He was an elderly gentleman who ran a little shop, not a restaurant, and he reminded me that competition is good and more business brings more people,” said Yantsides. “He said to always stay friendly with the competition. At the diner, cook the things you like, then adjust the menu. Don’t worry, customers will tell you what they want.”
'Some people get the same breakfast every time'
To this day, Yantsides and his wife say they know what most of their regular customers will order. “It’s kind of bizarre, but my wife and I hear a familiar voice, and we start to cook the food before the waitress hands us the order slip,” said Yantsides. “Some people get the same breakfast every time.”
Looking back, would Yantsides open a diner or restaurant today?
His answer, “Probably not, especially with the challenges business owners face. It would be like starting with a completely blank slate,” he said. “Owning a restaurant is rewarding, but it is time consuming and sometimes difficult. When it’s closed at the end of the day I like to sit in one of the booths with a cup of coffee and look out the window. It allows me to just do nothing.”
When this interview ended, I sat down with the Yantsides’ for more conversation, a cup of coffee and a piece of Pauline’s delicious homemade baklava. They are owners who make you feel right at home and are genuinely warm and friendly. At the diner, the Yantsides’ have created a welcoming atmosphere for all ages. They have a strong family, they said, and their children and grandchildren have worked at the Kenmore. Their son, George Yantsides, owned the former Rock Bar on Water Street in Worcester.
The Kenmore Diner has proven to be more than a restaurant. Join me in wishing the Yantsides’ all the best on this next chapter in their life as they celebrate retirement.
If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Table Hoppin': Order up! Kenmore Diner owners set to retire in January
