New Jersey
In 'Diner Capital of the World,' 150 Have Shut Down
If all-night diners aren’t one of the first images that come to mind when you envision New Jersey, then you’re probably not a local. “I’m sure people in other states love their diners, too,” Michael Gabriele, who wrote The History of Diners in New Jersey, tells NPR. “But it’s really more of our identity and our culture here in New Jersey,” So much so, that minor league baseball’s Somerset Patriots created an alternate identity, the Jersey Diners, according to MILB.com. “Diners are such a special part of the DNA of New Jersey,” says General Manager Patrick McVerry.
There are more diners per capita in the Garden State than anywhere else in the country, prompting Eater to declare it the “diner capital of the world.” This comes with a bit of history. From the 1920s into the ’80s, Jersey was home to more than a dozen factories that manufactured up to a third of the country’s retro prefab diners, many of which opened right there. But in recent years, diners have been on the decline. About 450 remain, but there was close to 600 only a decade ago. NPR spoke to Peter Sedereas, owner of Town Square Diner and the leader of an informal coalition of Jersey diners, who cited several reasons for recent closures.
- Family lines: Sedereas believes diners were typically passed down through families, but younger generations are less keen on going into the biz. “My kids aren’t interested in the diner business,” he said. “They’re all in the medical field.”
- Worthwhile paydays: He also said that diners are usually in high-value locations. “Property values are very high, and diners are always at the best locations. In the city centers, on the busy highways, or on corners.” Without family members to pass their businesses on to, owners are selling them off for a pretty penny.
- Rising costs: And while the pandemic caused many closures, Sedereas says the diners that survived adjusted with the times, especially as food costs rose. “Our menus used to be 18 pages long,” he says. “Now it’s one page, front and back.” More efficient menus create savings in labor and prep time, and diners are also shifting away from staying open 24 hours as fewer people binge on late-night disco fries.
This flexibility could be key in keeping the state’s title. “I don’t see diners ever leaving New Jersey. Diners have always adapted,” says Sedereas. (Now from New Jersey: maple syrup.)
The Cleveland Browns announced jersey numbers for all 10 draftees, as the team’s rookie minicamp is underway at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
While First-round picks Spencer Fano and KC Concepcion had already shown off their numbers — 55 and 17, respectively .. at their introductory press conference a few days ago, the jersey numbers for other rookies hadn’t been disclosed until today.
Second-round wideout Denzel Boston will now wear No. 12, quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ old number. Sanders, a fifth-rounder last year, had previously announced a switch to his old college No. 2 beforehand.
Fifth-round linebacker Justin Jefferson has been assigned jersey No. 10, which was used by last year’s second-round running back Quinshon Judkins. No announcement has been made yet on Judkins possibly changing his number, though. He wore No. 1 at Ohio State.
Not all jersey numbers are available in Cleveland, as the team has officially retired five of them: 14 (Otto Graham), 32 (Jim Brown), 45 (Ernie Davis), 46 (Don Fleming) and 76 (Lou Groza).
|
Jersey |
Round |
Pick |
Name |
Position |
School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
55 |
1 |
9 |
Spencer Fano |
OT |
Utah |
|
17 |
1 |
24 |
KC Concepcion |
WR |
Texas A&M |
|
12 |
2 |
39 |
Denzel Boston |
WR |
Washington |
|
28 |
2 |
58 |
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren |
S |
Toledo |
|
58 |
3 |
86 |
Austin Barber |
OT |
Florida |
|
52 |
5 |
146 |
Parker Brailsford |
C |
Alabama |
|
10 |
5 |
149 |
Justin Jefferson |
LB |
Alabama |
|
18 |
5 |
170 |
Joe Royer |
TE |
Cincinnati |
|
15 |
6 |
182 |
Taylen Green |
QB |
Arkansas |
|
48 |
7 |
248 |
Carsen Ryan |
TE |
BYU |
At this point in time, eiht of the 10 rookies drafted by Cleveland in last months 2026 NFL Draft have signed their contracts. The only still-unsigned draftees are wideout Concepcion and safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
In these cases, players sign a participation agreement that covers the team’s liability during the event, ensuring players are covered for injury.
Browns officially add 12 undrafted free agents
Cleveland also announced the formal signing of 12 undrafted free agents to complete it’s rookie class.
The most notable name on this list appears to be Logan Fano, a defensive end out of Utah who just happens to be Spencer Fano’s brother.
All undrafted free agent rookies were also assigned their numbers for the Browns’ rookie minicamp.
|
Jersey |
Name |
Position |
School |
|---|---|---|---|
|
29 |
Davon Booth |
RB |
Mississippi State |
|
34 |
Zion Washington |
S |
Boise State |
|
36 |
TJ Harden |
RB |
SMU |
|
36 |
Wes Pahl |
P |
Oklahoma State |
|
38 |
Kole Wilson |
WR |
Baylor |
|
43 |
Nate Evans |
CB |
Delaware |
|
47 |
DeCarlos Nicholson |
CB |
USC |
|
60 |
Izavion Miller |
OT |
Auburn |
|
64 |
Tyreak Sapp |
DE |
Florida |
|
66 |
Bernard Gooden |
DT |
LSU |
|
90 |
Khordae Sydnor |
DE |
Vanderbilt |
|
97 |
Logan Fano |
DE |
Utah |
Other players that have reportedly accepted invites to Browns’ rookie minicamp include Utah State quarterback Bryson Barnes, West Virginia linebacker Reid Carrico, Fordham linebacker James Conway, and Bowling Green tight end Jyrin Johnson.
Follow
A serious crash in Hainesport, New Jersey, has forced Route 38 to close Thursday night.
The crash happened on Route 38 near Creek Road at around 9:30 p.m. Chopper 3 was over the scene, where two cars were badly damaged.
According to Burlington County dispatch, several people were injured in the crash.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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The basics:
- Bed Bath & Beyond returning through new store format with The Container Store
- 5 New Jersey locations set for redesign
- Stores will combine home goods, organization products
- Acquisition of The Container Store expected to close in July
Three years after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closing its 360-plus stores, Bed Bath & Beyond is making a retail comeback in New Jersey.
After the formerly Union-based chain’s new parent company announced plans to acquire The Container Store, it is developing a new format that will blend the two banners together.
Starting this month, The Container Store’s 98 locations nationwide will be redesigned to prepare for an integration of Bed Bath & Beyond merchandise.
Known as The Container Store + Bed Bath & Beyond, the format will focus on home goods, organization products and in-home services.
Within New Jersey, the model is coming to:
- Bound Brook – 335 Chimney Rock Road
- Cherry Hill – 2000 Route 38
- Livingston – 372 W. Mount Pleasant Ave.
- Paramus – 370 Route 17 N.
- Princeton – 3506 Brunswick Ave.
Ahead of the overhaul, The Container Store liquidated about 30% of existing inventory in a bid to “streamline assortments, improve space productivity and create room for new products expected to arrive in phases later this year.”
Making room
The Container Store Senior Vice President of Stores Jen Pape described the changes as “a reset with purpose.”
“We are actively reshaping our stores to make room for what’s next. By streamlining select categories today, we’re creating the space and flexibility needed to introduce Bed Bath & Beyond products and deliver a more complete home experience for our customers,” she said.
The move follows Bed Bath & Beyond’s announcement in April that it will acquire The Container Store for about $150 million in stock and convertible notes. The transaction is scheduled to close in July.
The Container Store filed for bankruptcy in December 2024 amid increasing competition from big box retailers and a rough housing market that reduced demand for home goods. The chain emerged from Chapter 11 with its store fleet largely intact.
Bed Bath & Beyond reborn
After winning Bed Bath & Beyond’s IP auction in June 2023 for $21.5 million, Overstock.com relaunched it two months later with a refreshed website and mobile app where shoppers can purchase home décor, furniture, bedding and kitchenware. Overstock.com renamed itself Beyond Inc. before rebranding as Bed Bath & Beyond.
Retail strategy
Find out why the new owner of Harmon, another former Bed Bath & Beyond brand, closed its Bridgewater store here.
The Dallas-headquartered company’s portfolio also includes Overstock.com and Kirkland’s. Last year, it purchased Bed Bath & Beyond’s former baby-focused banner Buybuy Baby for $5 million, too.
The purchase followed Somerset-based baby care brand Dream on Me’s attempt to revive Buybuy Baby. In addition to spending $15.5 million to acquire the chain’s trademark, domain, mobile platform and business data, Dream on Me shelled out $1.17 million to take over 11 brick-and-mortar locations on the East Coast.
Less than a year later, Buybuy Baby closed its fleet of stores in October 2024 and became a “digital-first brand.”
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