Could Beyoncé Help This Classic New Jersey Diner Find Its Next Owner?
Beyoncé at Bendix Diner in New Jersey. Levi’s
From Eater New York: Beyoncé is the queen of many things — Texas, good taste in restaurants and whiskey, and so on. Now, as part of her ongoing campaign with denim brand Levi’s, she’s embracing retro dining by stunningly lounging on a mid-century diner counter. Beyoncé’s co-star in the advertisement is Bendix Diner. Unfortunately, the 40-year-old restaurant in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, officially closed this year.
Originally, Bendix temporarily closed in January because of fire and health code violations. Co-owner John Diakakis — who is legally blind and ran the diner — tells Eater that the “building was very, very old,” and that he was trying to update the fire suppression systems since 2020, but that would’ve required a lot of construction for such an old building, which was “almost at this point, falling apart at the seams.” He sums up: “It was just an uphill battle.”
Why diners across the country are in decline
Lucy the Elephant hit by federal funding cuts as $500,000 gets pulled from Margate, New Jersey, landmark
From CBS News: A one-of-a-kind New Jersey landmark is the latest to be impacted by cuts to federal funding. Officials who oversee Lucy the Elephant in Margate say $500,000 earmarked for the Jersey shore icon will now not be coming.
Richard Helfant, executive director of Lucy the Elephant, says finding out was devastating.
“What could mean more than a promise from the federal government of the United States? But apparently that doesn’t mean so much anymore,” Helfant said.
These SoCal vintage motels have found new life. But you can’t sleep there
Riverside’s Farm House Motel, constructed in 1953, has been transformed into a food hall and mini-mall called the Farm House Collective. (David Fouts / For The Times)
From the LA Times: There were no vacancies beneath the old neon Farm House Motel sign last Saturday — no guest rooms at all, in fact.
But the 1950s Riverside property, now known as the Farm House Collective, was busier than it has been for decades.
By 10 a.m., when a ribbon-cutting marked the Farm House’s rebirth as a mini-mall, food hall and music venue, the parking lot was full.
Retro Motels Still Thriving in California
DepositPhotos
From Travel Pug: California’s highways tell stories through their roadside architecture, particularly the mid-century motels that once dominated the landscape during America’s golden age of road trips. While many of these vintage establishments have disappeared over the decades, some remarkable survivors continue to welcome guests—offering experiences that combine nostalgic charm with modern comfort.
These aren’t just places to rest; they’re living museums where visitors can step back in time while enjoying amenities that contemporary travelers expect. The allure of these retro accommodations lies in their authenticity—neon signs that have buzzed for half a century, kidney-shaped pools that hosted generations of swimmers, and architecture that captures distinct eras of American design.
Here is a list of the 14 coolest retro motels still operating across the Golden State, each preserving a slice of California’s rich road trip history.
Modernaire Motel Neon Sign Restoration Project
From the Lincoln Highway Association: The Modernaire Motel has served travelers along the Lincoln Highway (East Market Street/PA 462) since 1949. The unique mid-century stream-line modern architectural style is unique for York County and few examples exist across Pennsylvania. The 1950’s neon sign is of a similar design and has stood in front as an advertising neon beacon for tourists for decades.
Now that a developer has proposed tearing down the motel, a community effort to restore and preserve the iconic neon sign is in motion. The PA Chapter of the Lincoln Highway Association is partnering with Preservation Pennsylvania to raise a total of $15,000 to complete the project and install this piece of our local history alongside the Lee’s Diner neon sign at the York County History Center – Agricultural and Industrial Museum in York. To date, the community has together raised over $10,000. The donations through Give Local York will take us over the top.