The Shawmut Diner of New Bedford, Mass.
March 30, 2014 photo by Larry Cultrera
Well, it was a bitter-sweet trip down to New Bedford, Massachusetts on a rainy Sunday morning at the end of March! Part of our mission was to have a late (for us) breakfast at the incomparable Shawmut Diner. But the most important reason for the trip was to be witness to the last Sunday open for this diner. Phil & Celeste Paleologos have owned the diner since February of 1981 and made the diner not only a local landmark known for good food and and tons of hospitality, but it was also a must-visit destination for any diner lover who was anywhere near the South Coast area of the Bay State! Phil & Celeste have decided to hang up the spatulas and aprons and retire from the business.
They received an offer for the property (which they accepted) to be used for another type of business but they did not want to see the diner get destroyed. After all it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a superb example of a late model Jerry O’Mahony diner. Phil did attempt to find someone to buy the building but time has run out, so he is paying to have the diner moved into storage locally until a suitable buyer comes forward. Phil says he has received offers from out-of-state buyers and so far has rejected those. Ideally, he wants to see the diner stay in the immediate vicinity and not be moved out of state. The diner’s last official day of business is tomorrow, March 31st.
Interior view of the Shawmut Diner, the place was really hopping!
March 30, 2014 photo by Larry Cultrera
Interior view of the Shawmut Diner, the place was really hopping!
March 30, 2014 photo by Larry Cultrera
I know Phil will stay busy with his afternoon radio show on WBSM and Celeste will be busy with their grandchildren! I am certainly conflicted as this diner holds a special place in my heart as well as my life, primarily due to the friendship I have with the Paleologos’! But I know we will remain friends and be in contact for many years to come and I wish them well for the future! Good luck Phil & Celeste until we meet again!
Phil & Celeste Paleologos… the extremely congenial hosts at Shawmut Diner!
March 30, 2014 photo by Larry Cultrera
Diner Hotline Weblog 
Hi Larry
Do you think it could fit in front of dream diner?? My dream is to someday attach an original diner to my stick building.
Marybeth Shanahan
Dream diner
978XXXXXXX. Cell
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sigh! I wish them the very best, but it is indeed the end of an era. That is very cool that he’s paying to have it stored. Hopefully inside somewhere!
Well, it’s just so worrisome that the diner may languish in storage — and then never find a rightful home in MA with operators who will be willing to put in the love and effort it takes to keep a classic diner going these days. I don’t blame the Paleologos’ for one minute. They did a stellar job, and life goes on. Here’s hoping that the Shawmut will rise again — and soon!
Ron Dylewski