Minneapolis’s Band Box Diner Is Finally Reopening | Eater Twin Cities

"A red-and-white, old-school diner at the corner of 10th and 14th streets in Minneapolis’s Elliot Park neighborhood, Band Box Diner first opened in 1939 and is beloved for its greasy-spoon fare—burgers and shoestring fries; omelets; buttermilk pancakes; and English muffins dripping with butter. The diner shut down in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remained closed because the tiny dining room made social distancing impractical and co-owner Heather Ptacek was fighting breast cancer; owners Brad and Heather Ptacek later received neighborhood support and in 2021 neighbors raised more than $26,000 to help a reopening plan. On Thursday, September 14 the diner announced its reopening via Facebook (first reported by Bring Me The News) with a photo of an “Open” sign and the words “Yep. For real.”, comments from excited customers poured in, and hours are listed as Wednesday–Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m." - Justine Jones