Electric Diner to open second location in long-abandoned Lister Block

Any time Erika Puckering would pass by the vacant Lister Block in downtown Hamilton, her mind would wander to dreams of flashy diners that dot the streets of New York City.

Think Junior's and Ellen's Stardust Diner, each filled with colourful furniture, neon signage and nostalgia, all served up alongside classic greasy spoon fare like big breakfast plates, towering burgers and timeless sandwiches.

Later this year, the abandoned James Street North spot is poised to come alive in a similar fashion as Puckering and her husband and business partner Jamie Ewing are poised to open a sister spot to their '80s-themed Hess Village restaurant, Electric Diner.

I could just envision the entire inside," Puckering said. We know that we can make it electrified."

The corner unit of the heritage building has been deserted since Wendel Clark's Classic Grill and Bar abruptly closed its doors in December 2019. Four months later, the lease with the city was terminated in April 2020 when the sports bar operator couldn't find another business to take over the contract.

But with the general issues committee unanimously approving the new lease agreement earlier this month - which still needs to be given the green light by city council - the diner could be ready to open by the fall.

Puckering said the plans for a second location have been in the works for the better part of a year as both she and Ewing began to realize they'd outgrown" their original eatery on George Street.

She said the Lister Block space will allow them to host larger events that were not feasible in Hess Village while also amping up their capacity to do both takeout and dine-in service more efficiently.

This is a strategic move to meet those demands," said Puckering. This space will help both places out."

Unlike its sister location, the new spot won't have a bright pink exterior or neon blue signage.

As part of the process of opening a business in the heritage building, lessees must ensure their operations don't impede on any of the heritage features of the building.

That means there can be no external works" and it's up to the city to approve any signage or advertising visible from the Anne Foster windows.

However, those stipulations won't stop the restaurant from being able to show ourselves from the outside in," said Puckering.

And as it currently stands, the space looks as if Wendel Clark's was just open a day ago," she added. More than 30 flat screen televisions still line the dark grey walls and the large booths have collected dust.

Puckering said the new location will be an elevated and more refined" version of their original restaurant. But it won't be without striking neon lighting and curated vintage pieces.

It'll be less '80s cartoons and more Cocktails & Dreams," she said. We know we can draw a crowd through the windows."

Puckering said while she's aware other restaurants haven't been able to make a gainful go out of opening in the Lister Block, she believes there's hope for success there."

I'm a fighter," she said, pointing to Electric Diner's survival through the pandemic. I feel like I've jumped as many hurdles that I can, and if there's another one, I'll do it again."

Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com