139 years of local history and counting.
The history of the building dates back to 1884 with an address of 577 Main St. (Prior to 1904, buildings were numbered starting at Lake Winnebago).
From 1884 to 1893 owner Ernest Heiden ran a saloon on the main floor, while Paul Vandervoort held his veterinary surgeon's office on the 2nd floor.
From 1893-1900 Peter Scholl operated a boot and shoe store at this location.
Around this time, the original building was split in half, as there is also a
listing for "The Diamond", a saloon owned by John Fitzgerald at
577 1/2 Main Street.
1915-1919 The building was converted into a restaurant.
1919-1926 At this time, the building was used as a vulcanizing shop under the name "Wallicks and Hayward", and later "Hayward and Williams".
1930-1938 Converted back into a restaurant (owner John Voudiotis)
1940-1942 Restaurant operated by John V Richter
1942-1944 "Stavis Restaurant"
1944-1968 Douglas' Restaurant (owner John N. Douglas)
1969-1973 "Mannen's Restaurant"
1974 "E&R Restaurant"
1976-1982 "Koenen's Restaurant"
1983 "Jerry's Diner"
1984-2014 "Joan's Kitchen" (owner Joan Rait)
2014-2023 "Connie's Diner” (owners Wally and Connie Shaffer)
2023- current “The Diner” Sandy Ritchie takes over the diner as a lifelong Fond du Lac resident with 35 years of restaurant management.
The second story was made into boarding rooms with a hallway separating the two sides. Later, electricity and plumbing were installed and the floor above the diner became a 3 bedroom apartment, however no one has lived there since 1960
