Lord's Lunch Counter -- What happens to "Ruthie's Diner" when Lord's closes?

"Ruthie's Diner" has been a hit since it opened in April of 2012, but sadly will have to close in February when Lord's goes out of business but Michelle James, the owner of "Ruthie's Diner" is hopeful and wants to move forward.  She told me she is "not giving this up"!

Opening "Ruthie's Diner" was a dream come true and having this space in Lord's with the black and white checkered tiles and the retro looking counter and stools was perfect for the kind of diner she had in mind.  Looking around as we spoke she said,  "This!  This is exactly what I had dreamt of".  The diner is named after her grandmother, Ruthie; it is the legacy of her grandmother. 

The story about Ruthie, along with a picture of her, hangs on the wall for all the customers to read, confirming that this business is not just a diner, it is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for James. 

"Losing this [diner] is so much more than losing a job" said James. 

James works hard and has put her heart, her soul and and many dollars into this business.  She takes great pride in the quality of the food she prepares and serves and is very sad that it will have to close.  She went on to say she is often tired, but that's nothing, "If you love it, its worth it".

"I have been overwhelmed; everyone has been so kind and concerned about my business since they found out that the building has been sold", said James. 

She went on to say that she has felt so welcomed right from the start.  Many of her customers are asking her what she will do and at this point she said "My first choice would be to stay in Medfield.  The people here are kind and generous and always offering to lend a hand...I must be doing something right!"

But the reality is that it takes money to be in business and she is still dealing with the original costs of opening this Diner.  "Ruthie's" has not even been in business a full year, and so she has many financial concerns right now.  She feels that her business breathed a new life into the counter space at Lord's and she has developed a great relationship with many of her "regulars". 

"I'm not giving up!" she told me and has the word out that she would love to find a new space to set up shop in Medfield if possible.  She has spoken to the new owners of the building, and has expressed to them that she would love to be there, but at this point they told her that they don't know what they are doing yet with the space and she has not heard anything further.

"It's hard; I get sad," she said.  "Even though I've only been in business 9 months, I know what to throw on the grill when I see my regulars walk in". 

She is hopeful that somehow and some way she will be able to continue "Ruthie's Diner", but she wanted to be sure to say "Thank you" to all the people who have been great to her and supported the diner.  Standing beside her workers she said, "My girls, Maggie, Kristyn, Karla and I are a team.  We hope to find a new place and they are coming with me; I want my Grandma's name to just keep going.  I also want to say thank you to everyone who has embraced me....it has been amazing."