59er Diner Makes Its Grand Entrance Back in Leavenworth

Notorious for the variety of frothy milkshake flavors, from tropical coconut to traditional, thick chocolate - 59er Diner is a roadside treat where tourists and locals alike have slammed their brakes to stop and indulge their sweet tooth. The jukebox humming an Elvis melody and vinyl booths give customers a sliver of the past to pair with their meal - a time capsule doubling as a diner. But since June 2016, 59er Diner is not only well known due to the All-American cuisine and retro spirit, but also associated with the ill fated fire that destroyed its Lake Wenatchee location. 

Owner Joe Cannata wasted little time moving towards a new beginning for the beloved diner. Reacting quickly, he didn't hesitate to begin the construction process to rebuild. 

"The week that the building burned I was on the phone with the company that wound up delivering it in the end," Cannata said. "It takes time to build, it takes time to plan, it takes time for architecture, it takes time for all of that." 

While suspended in limbo waiting for the rebuild, the diner worked out of a food truck. The food truck was a temporary relief for those desperate to quench their shake craving and also doubled as an unsuspecting platform for patrons to stop and express what 59er Diner meant to them. 

"I got these conversations all the time: 'we miss you so much', 'how are you doing?', just conversations about the general well being of me, the Flos at the diner and the diner itself," Cannata said. "And then you would hear stories of how much the diner meant to people." 

For a restaurant that remains frozen in the glory days, there is high anticipation for the future of the new 59er Diner. The new 59er was constructed in Atlanta, GA and was transported across the country by 5 tractor trailers. 

On Wednesday, August 15, the tractor trailers traveled through town to its drop off location. As the new diner ambled through, Leavenworth's streets had almost a parade-esque atmosphere. Locals gathered on the corners, congregated outside of Leavenworth familiar businesses, like Dan's Market, and gave the diner a hearty welcome back. Cannata came along not as the owner but as Elvis. As the town waved and greeted the diner on the route to its future home, Cannata was moved by the reaction. 

"There was definitely a lot of times Elvis was crying behind his sunglasses," Cannata said. "And its because that's the way this town is, that's the people and that's the community of this town. To be able to feel this town's sense of community, showering its love and be a part of it is just wonderful. It's what this town does, it's what this town is good at. When someone is down they'll come out to pick you up and I think yesterday was the town picking me up and celebrating the new beginning." 

Local patrons are highly anticipating the revival of the landmark restaurant. After two years of either dutifully trekking to the Cashmere location or patiently standing in line outside the food truck, customers are eager to eat their Wet Fries in the Leavenworth 59er Diner. When asked what qualities make 59er Diner so legendary amongst customers and locals, Cannata gave a simplistic and singular answer: Soul. The retro and vibrant high energy tack onto the claim to fame milkshakes, but Cannata says the restaurant's popularity attributes to a quality beyond that.

"I could be a restaurant guy and say I have the perfect atmosphere but that's not what it is, it's the people, it's the feeling you get in your heart when you go there - you just feel good there," Cannata said. "Somehow it fits with the 50's theme because back in the 50's life was simpler. I think the 59er Diner becomes that, it becomes a little simple place to stop on the way to wherever you're going. It's simple, it's easy and it's happy and that transcends everything else." 

Beer starting at $1.25, the promise of 'BREAKFAST ALL DAY!', Flo sliding a Cadillac burger on a warm plate across the table and the soul - the signature elements of 59'er Diner will be present in the new building. The new building began being constructed in its location on Thursday, August 16.