Tell us a bit about yourself and your business.
My name is Guy Fragmin, and I’m the champion of high-quality comfort cuisine as owner of 416 Diner. Located in the heart of the historical Oregon District, 416 Diner has become a welcoming comfort food spot for travelers and locals alike. We capture that old-time diner feel while putting a modern spin on traditional diner dishes in a super-clean and friendly atmosphere. Known for our awesome brunch and late-night eats, along with the increasingly popular West Virginia-style pepperoni rolls, 416 Diner is here to bring you mouthwatering excellence. We’re open for breakfast and lunch, and will soon again offer late-night eats on the weekend!
What made you decide to open your own small business and how long have you been in operation?
When I was a child running around my uncle’s restaurant in West Virginia, I didn’t realize I would one day open my own diner. I enjoyed a lifetime of skill-building jobs, including construction jobs, service industry, and advertising, and what I know now is that all these phases were important steps to me achieving my dream. My career in marketing helped me gain insights into both the challenges and successes of small business owners, and in 2005, I was ready to make the leap to entrepreneurship. I purchased the building 416 Diner currently occupies, and in 2016 I left the advertising industry to remodel the building and incubate the diner, developing the design, the menu, and recruiting and training our very first team members. We opened 416 Diner on July 7, 2017, and three short years later, we have certainly faced our share of challenges; however, nothing has and nothing will stand in the way of us continuing to serve amazing food surrounded and supported by the most amazing people just like you!
What do you enjoy about working in downtown Dayton?
Downtown Dayton and the Oregon District are full of vibrant, creative, and strong people seeking the joy in life. Dayton is unique due to its amazing history and vibrant culture, and I’m proud to call the Oregon District my home and workplace. We are not your cookie-cutter strip mall, or franchised, over-processed food trough. We are a fun vibrant community of independent business owners where something fresh, unique, and interesting is always on the table, or just around the corner.
Tell us something about your business that may surprise people to learn.
Guests to 416 Diner are often surprised by the high quality of our diner food. If there’s one item I’d really like everyone to try, it’s a West Virginia pepperoni roll topped with melty cheese and served with marinara sauce. When I arrived in Dayton in 1992, I was shocked to learn that nobody ever heard of them and no restaurant carried them. This fueled my fire for 416, and I’m proud to say that tons of Daytonians not only know about them but have taken them to the next level by adding a wide array of toppings and sauces, making the pepperoni roll a “Dayton thing” of their own. Would you expect less from our town?
How is your business coping with the pandemic and how can people support you now?
416 Diner is managing the pandemic as best we can, while maintaining strict adherence to all safety mandates and city ordinances. We would not be open without the support from the City of Dayton, as well as the Downtown Dayton Partnership, and our amazing guest and regulars. Wherever your comfort level is with regard to safety, we are here to serve, offering dine-in service, outside patio seating, a walk up window or call-ahead carry out, and several delivery service options to assure you can continue to enjoy our delicious menu. We do need your support to assure we’re here for years to come. “Are You Hungry?”
416 Diner
416 E Fifth St.
www.416diner.com
937-461-0416
facebook.com/416diner
Twitter: @416_diner
Instagram: @416_diner
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