Nazareth Diner to Re-Open in May

The is going through some major changes, as many readers of Nazareth Patch have noticed -- and inquired about.

The original plan, however, wasn’t to gut the entire diner, which is currently surrounded by scaffolding and bustling with men wearing toolbelts.

“We were originally just going to do the kitchen, and it turned into what it is now,” said Pete Theo, 26, owner of the Nazareth Diner.

The entire building is receiving a major overhaul, as motorists can easily see from the intersection of Easton Road and S. Broad Street.

Theo purchased the diner from his father, John Theodoropoulos, who owned the business for 23 years. Theodoropoulos plans to retire shortly after the diner’s grand re-opening, according to the younger Theodoropoulos, or Theo.

“It was time,” Theo said of the renovations, adding that they are especially needed due to the diner’s close proximity to the “thriving” businesses along Route 248, including the Northampton Crossings shopping center and the Lower Nazareth Commons Plaza in .

The diner itself isn’t the only thing getting an update. The menu will also see a few additions, including a larger health menu that will feature salads and vegetarian items.

“We’ve had a lot of customers ask for things like that,” Theo said, adding that there will also be 12 new items added to the salad bar.

And since the diner has a liquor license, Theo is looking into adding a bar area, which will be open every day from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

The diner will remain a 24-hour business, Theo said.

For the rest of the interior, Theo described the overall outcome as an old-school diner concept in the front of the building, “and something more new and trendy in the back."

Theo, however, didn’t hire just anybody to design the interior of his diner. He actually recruited the help of students currently enrolled in the Architecture program.

As a graduate of NCC’s Culinary Arts program, Theo went to his former instructor -- with his original blueprints in hand -- to see what his thoughts and opinions were.

During that conversation, Theo was told about the Architecture program -- which just so happens to be led by associate professor , a Nazareth resident.

According to Theo, the students’ design plan will be their final practical before graduation.

“It just happened to be perfect timing that [the students] were in the interior design portion of their semester,” Theo said.

Theo plans to re-open the diner in the second or third week in May.

“I’m shooting to be open by Mother’s Day,” he said, adding that he should have a target re-opening date by mid-April.