Old trolley diner is back on track
Historic eatery regains its luster with new owners
Regulars as well as travelers passing through a historic section of south Middleborough along Wareham Street can once again stop at Sisson's Diner for a hot cup of coffee, a hearty meal, and some local gossip, just as patrons had done for nearly 80 years.
Rochester resident Kiriakos ''Nick" Rentumis, a native of Athens who came to the United States in 1979, and his wife, Michele, are the latest owners of Sisson's. They bought the small diner and all its equipment in December for $325,000. They opened for business last month.
Rentumis, 54, said he found the diner's history its biggest attraction. ''I came from a world like that," he said. ''You respect old stuff. You can see buildings in Athens that are thousands and thousands of years old."
While old-fashioned diners are interesting as ''commercial archeology," according to the town's historians, Sisson's is unusual because it was fashioned from an old trolley car. The car was formerly used by the Middleborough, Wareham, and Buzzards Bay Railway, which shut down in 1923, according to town records. Local businessman Elmer Sisson purchased the car and moved it across the street from his family home in 1928, where he converted it to a diner.
The town's Historical Commission included the diner on an inventory of historic sites it provided to the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
In the early 20th century, Route 28, which includes Wareham Street in south Middleborough,, was the main connector between Boston and Cape Cod. The diner's business, in those days, was brisk. And even when new highways were constructed, diverting much of the traffic, Sisson's survived.
Rentumis, who is keeping the Sisson's name, is not a newcomer to the restaurant business. He learned to cook while in the merchant marine and owned and ran Nick's Homemade Pizza in Mattapoisett for 21 years before selling the business in 2000. After that, he spent five years searching for a similar venture.
Rentumis spotted Sisson's last summer while riding along Route 28 on his
Rentumis said he has worked day and night to ready for opening, doing a great deal of the work himself. He polished the 10 swivel stools along the counter and fixed the semicircular booths at either end of the trolley car. He installed a black and white tile floor and set up several tables in an ell added to the rear several years ago. The seating capacity is 36, he said, and he hopes to eventually add 10 more seats.
When Rentumis stripped several layers of paint from the walls, he found the rich mahogany siding of the original trolley underneath, as well as some intricately detailed trim around the windows. In the front, he uncovered the trolley's original number, 229. And beneath some panels near the ceiling, Rentumis found a series of narrow windows that will now bring in additional light.
''By the time I'm done, I want to make this trolley look just like it did originally, both inside and out," he said.
James ''Jazz" Nunes, 81, who has lived in the south Middleborough area all his life, can recall going to Sisson's as a child. ''I think I started coming in here when I was about a year old," Nunes said. He recalls ordering his favorite breakfast of steak and eggs there as an adult.
Nunes came in to check out the new owner recently and the two became friends. Nunes said he plans to reclaim his favorite swivel stool at the counter, right near the center. ''And I'm going to teach Nick how to make fruit pies," Nunes said.
Rentumis says he has a good feeling about the small diner.
''When I came to Rochester, I had the feeling 'This is where I will stay,' and my dreams have come true in this place," Rentumis said, referring to his wife, Michele, and their three daughters and son. ''And when I saw this diner, I had that same kind of feeling."
Christine Wallgren can be reached at clwallgren@aol.com. 