Hometown diner stays alive with extra help for customers

Ted Czech | York (Pa.) Daily Record

Show Caption Hide Caption Customer loyalty keeps hometown diner alive This diner has a lot of history, and thanks to its customers, it has a future.

MANCHESTER, PA - John Sutherland first began going to Lee's Diner a couple years ago after getting to know its owner, Omar Ilayan, and then he heard about the state inspections of the restaurant.

"I knew there was something going on when I looked in the kitchen: 'This doesn't make sense, this doesn't add up,'" he said. "I know what a kitchen typically looks like ... I've seen horrible things happen in kitchens."

But Lee's Diner, a metal and glass diner built in 1951, is not among those, Sutherland said.

With a strong sense of volunteerism and the belief in how small businesses are vital to a local economy, Sutherland decided to do something. He started a Facebook page, York Fixes Lee's Diner, and organized clean-up efforts.

"I think it's important that we keep this business open and get it back on a good path," he said.

On Sunday, Sutherland, 21, of Manchester Township, along with Jason Hoeltzle, 40, of Dover Township, met up at Lee's Diner on 4320 W. Market St. in West Manchester Township to help Ilayan clean.

Hoeltzle said he's known Ilayan since the early 2000s when he went there on a date with the woman who later became his wife.

"I saw him (Ilayan) with the customers, I've seen the things he's done for people," Hoeltzle said. "Deep down, he's a good guy."

Their friendship aside, another motivation for Hoeltzle is his affinity for history — he drives a 1937 Pontiac, daily. As far as he knows, Lee's is the last remaining original diner in York County.

"Hopefully, we can help keep it around for a while longer," he said.

Ilayan, 61, of Springettsbury Township, said he is very appreciative of Sutherland and Hoeltzle's efforts, and although the violations against his business have been discouraging, he would like to stay open.

"I have four kids, they're in college," he said. "They want to take over when they finish."

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