David Wilcox
Executive editor
The previous owners of the Hunter Dinerant said they felt it belonged to the city of Auburn in spirit. Now it does in writing as well.
According to Cayuga County property records, the city the 18 Genesee St. diner from previous owners Rachael and Bill Juhl for $0 in May. Its 2023 full market value is $145,938.
What the city plans to do with the iconic downtown diner is unknown, however, as officials declined comment on the acquisition to ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» this week.
The Juhls purchased the Hunter Dinerant in 2011. Aside from a brief stoppage at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, they ran the diner until it served its last burger melt on Dec. 31, 2022.
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The steel railcar diner opened on Genesee Street in 1951 after being there. Perched atop beams over the Owasco River, it was beloved for its neon signage and famed for its connection to U.S. President Joe Biden. His first wife, Neilia Hunter, was the daughter of the restaurant's namesakes and owners, Robert and Louise Hunter. The Biden family has visited the restaurant, most recently in 2014.
In 2020, the Juhls weren't sure they would be able to reopen the Hunter Dinerant due to COVID-19. But they were sure, Bill Juhl told ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» at the time, that the diner's legacy would continue.Â
"It's the city's diner, it never was really ours. We're just caretakers of it," he said. "The diner will be back, no matter who owns it. It will always be a part of Auburn."
Those hoping to begin 2023 with breakfast at the Hunter Dinerant will have to make other plans, as the landmark Auburn restaurant served its l…
Gallery: Landmark Auburn diner closing, served the community since 1951
JJ Connors reads the paper while waiting for his order at the Hunter Dinerant. After serving the Auburn community since 1951, the diner closed its doors Saturday.
Waitress Connie Mansell chats with customers at the Hunter Dinerant. After serving the Auburn community since 1951, the diner closed its doors Saturday.
After serving the Auburn community since 1951, the Hunter Dinerant closed its doors Saturday.
After serving the Auburn community since 1951, the Hunter Dinerant closed its doors Saturday.
After serving the Auburn community since 1951, the Hunter Dinerant closed its doors Saturday.
A tabletop jukebox at the Hunter Dinerant. After serving the Auburn community since 1951, the diner closed its doors Saturday.
After serving the Auburn community since 1951, the Hunter Dinerant closed its doors Saturday.
Waitress Connie Mansell takes an order at the Hunter Dinerant. After serving the Auburn community since 1951, the diner closed its doors Saturday.
Waitresses Connie Mansell, left, and her daughter, Jamie, chat with a customer at the Hunter Dinerant. After serving the Auburn community since 1951, the diner closed its doors Saturday.
Waitress Jamie Mansell chats with customer George Kowatch while he waits for his brother, Dave, to arrive for an evening meal at the Hunter Dinerant. After serving the Auburn community since 1951, the diner closed its doors Saturday.
Waitresses Jamie Mansell, left, and her mother, Connie, work Friday evening at the Hunter Dinerant. After serving the Auburn community since 1951, the diner closed its doors Saturday.
After serving the Auburn community since 1951, the Hunter Dinerant closed its doors Saturday.
A customer enters the Hunter Dinerant for an evening meal. After serving the Auburn community since 1951, the diner closed its doors Saturday.
The Hunter Dinerant's neon sign is dark after the Auburn landmark closed for good on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. The diner was established in 1951.
Waitress Jamie Mansell serves a meal to JJ Connors at the Hunter Dinerant. After serving the Auburn community since 1951, the diner closed its doors Saturday.
A patron leaves the Hunter Dinerant under the warm glow of its classic neon sign on Dec. 31. After serving the community since 1951, the establishment closed its doors at the end of 2022.
Lake Life Editor David Wilcox can be reached at (315) 282-2245 or david.wilcox@lee.net.
David Wilcox
Executive editor
