Rockin' Johnny's Diner reopens on Merivale Road after Westgate Mall closure
The 1950s-style diner is taking over the former Happy Greek location near No Frills and Winners, with a more upscale vibe while keeping its signature car on the wall.
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Rockin' Johnny's Diner is set to reopen early the week of July 14 at 1651 Merivale Road, near No Frills, Winners, and Value Village, following the closure of its Westgate Mall location last October.
When the 68-year-old Westgate Mall closed for residential redevelopment, the diner lost its home despite having a lease that ran until 2029. Franchise owner Enzo Mastromattei said the Merivale location was chosen for its proximity to the old spot.
The new space will maintain the Rockin' Johnny's vibe with a modern update. "It's going to be a little different, more upscale," Mastromattei said. "It's still going to have the car on the wall, but it's not going to have that chrome, black, white and red colour scheme."
The diner, which opened at Westgate in 1991, will welcome back some employees who were let go when the mall closed. Westgate owner RioCan plans to eventually replace the site with a new grocery store, a Shoppers Drug Mart, and two 36-storey mixed-use towers as part of a 15- to 20-year redevelopment that will add 1,146 residential units and over 88,000 square feet of commercial space.
