Orem's Diner is a Longtime Gathering Place
The original Orem’s Diner was once located on a large dairy farm owned by Charles Orem, where ice and milk were sold. The Diner has been housed in three different building since 1921. The Papanikolauo family, owners of Orem’s since 1980, relocated and rebuilt the current Diner at the intersection of Route 33 and Route 7. The original site, a few miles north was demolished for the widening of Route 7.
The restaurant has been in existence since 1921 and, according to the people who dine at Orem’s, it’s a Wilton institution, it’s where everyone gathers, it’s where Wilton happens.
Through the years, many wonderful people have been a part of Orem’s Diner. We’ve dug up some photographs of yesteryear to share with you. We welcome any photos you have of the original diner. We’d be happy to scan your original photo and return the photo back to you.
A brief memoir by Mrs. Iliff
Orem’s Diner was established in 1921 by Charles Orem (seen in the image to the left). Its colorful history (remember the pink paint) has been as interesting as the people who came to eat, meet their friends and close business deals in one of the booths.
The ’55 flood cemented us all together – the wealthy, the financially stressed, white and blue collar workers and even the hoboes who came to the back door for a free hot meal.
Clyde Porter Shannon arrived in his Rolls Royce daily, Mr. Checkester, a prominent town lawyer, Mr. and Mrs. Bramwell rubbing elbows with Ellie Haye, carpenter, Yank Stannard Sr., plumber extraordinaire.
Who can forget Ed Cross who peeled hundreds of pounds of vegetables in the Kitchen and Dick Hoyt, who owned the dairy next door? Dot Jinks, self-appointed town matriarch, and Bill O’Brien who came for 3 meals a day with the only dog allowed in the diner laying at his feet.
Bill Quaintance was there. He was our resident state trooper, and it was right at the counter where our future paid police department was farmed. Our earliest policemen were Bill, Max Haber, Joe Vasale, Dick Barringer, Jay Corsa, John Gochel and Steve Bartek Sr.
The volunteer fire department soon was developed from the seed of an idea over many cups of coffee.
Each year there were two major happenings which involved the diner. The Danbury Fair which ran each fall. Patrons lined up outside waiting to be seated. The diner was one of very few places to eat along Rt. 7. Old timers’ day rolled back the prices to the 1930’s. Owners Bob and Bud Iliff dressed in vintage clothing as did the staff and many of the customers. It usually started officially when the Bramwells arrived in one of the antique cars they owned.
The waitresses, a loyal group, who worked there for years included Regis Wannamaker, sister to Bob and Bud, Tina Toofer a niece of Charlie Orem, Lie Cade, Frieda Andreason and Ann Myclinsh. The four daughters of Bud Iliff, Sharon, Patty, Carlyn and Verna Lea helped out too.
When the Iliff brothers sold to the DeBernadino brothers in 1965, another new and exciting era started for Orem’s Diner and continues on.
- July 14, 2007
