Summit Diner in New Jersey Awarded $50K Grant for Major Renovation Efforts

To maintain its charm, the Summit Diner in New Jersey will be renovated. The National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express chose the diner as one of 50 restaurants worldwide to win $50,000 for repairs and growth.

Summit Diner, founded in 1929, is famous in New Jersey. The current Jerry O’Mahony restaurant has a barrel ceiling, mahogany furnishings, and checkerboard floors. It has become a state culinary landmark and tourist attraction.

Summit Downtown, a SID business support organization, supported the eatery. Executive Director Nancy Adams said the application process took one day after learning about the post. Her team promptly submitted the idea with the diner’s owners, which worked well.

The Summit Diner and Rosen Kelly Conway Architects will assess the building’s exterior repair after permission. The building will be renovated by January 31, 2026, to preserve its history and meet current needs.

The grant program helps small, community-driven restaurants retain America’s culinary and cultural history. Many restaurants are also community gathering places, according to National Trust for Historic Preservation president and CEO Carol Quillen. She stated the Summit Diner remembers centuries of meals, memories, and customs.

The Summit Diner, one of New Jersey’s most famous, will be restored to its past. The $50,000 will keep this neighborhood gem serving fantastic food and memories alive.

Sources
National Trust for Historic Preservation
American Express
Summit Downtown