New home style diner coming to Windsor Street

By Adam Inniss

A new diner is coming to the mostly residential block of Windsor Street between Quinpool and Chebucto. 

Right in the centre of the peninsula, the area is quiet and cozy—it’s also changing.

Condos and apartments are being developed around the Halifax Commons and Quinpool district, these will likely bring new businesses to the area. The Windsor Street Diner is betting on it.

“We think the neighbourhood could use a good, solid local diner,” said Dimitri Kotsionis, manager of the Windsor Street Diner.

The restaurant is set to open Saturday, “It will be a soft launch at first, just getting staff used to everything. Small menu for the first four to five days” said Kotsionis.

The name Windsor Street Diner is very straight to the point, and the restaurant will be too. The diner may be investing in the future of the area, but it’s looking to the past for their menu and vibe.

“We want to do classic all day breakfasts, have sandwiches, burgers. All the great diner foods,” said Kotsionis.

Their hiring process has also been very straight to the point: a help wanted sign tacked to the window. Kotsionis is set on hiring residents from the neighbourhood.

“It’s so great to see people who live nearby popping in, applying for work or even just asking about the place. There’s a lot of excitement in the community.”

For the last two years, Kotsionis and the owner Chris Ryill have been converting the space into a restaurant. It was a full renovation from the previous business: the Last Word.

The Last Word Books closed in May of 2020. It was a locally famous used bookstore owned and managed by the eccentric Wayne Greene. 

Greene had a reputation for talking passionately with shoppers, remembering regulars and sharing his extensive knowledge of books. When the Last Word closed, the neighbourhood lost a friendly local shop.

Windsor Street Diner is hoping to bring a new sense of friendliness and community to the area.

“We want Windsor Street Diner to be a family oriented spot, so it should feel local. It should be local,” said Kotsionis.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today