The diner was established in 1941 by John O'Rourke, who later brought the 1946 Mountain View diner car that anchored the diner's distinctive appearance into Middletown.[3] John's nephews, John and Brian bought the diner in 1976. In 1986, due to corrupted business practices John sold his half share of the diner to his cousin Brian.[4]
On August 31, 2006, O'Rourke's Diner suffered tremendous damage from a fire that broke out after a hamburger steamer was left on overnight.[5] Because the diner did not have fire insurance, fundraising efforts were launched[6] to cover the estimated $350,000 cost of repairs.[7] By June 2007, $180,000 had been raised and preparations for reconstruction were underway.[8] On February 11, 2008, following successful renovations which included assistance from the local community and Wesleyan University, O'Rourke's was reopened at 5:00 am.[9]
Awards/Distinctions
2005: Best Diner, Best of Connecticut 2005, Connecticut Magazine[10]
^Kovner, Josh (2006-09-04). "Architect To Aid Rebuilding Of Diner". Hartford Courant. The 60-year-old diner, damaged in a fire early Thursday, is an anchor in the North End neighborhood. It is part of the Main Street Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
^Yonan, Joe (2006-05-17). "They brake for burgers". Boston Globe. Brian O'Rourke bought this beautiful diner from his uncle John, who founded it in 1941.