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Former Westmont Diner in New Jersey reopens as "The Westmont" after fire last year

By
Ryan Hughes
Ryan Hughes
Ryan Hughes joined CBS News Philadelphia in June 2022. He previously worked at WPTV in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he's covered stories ranging from weeks on the Surfside condo collapse, to the impact of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, and the Super Bowl in Miami.
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Ryan Hughes,
Joe Brandt
Digital Content Producer, CBS Philadelphia
Joe Brandt has been a digital content producer for CBS News Philadelphia since 2022. He is a Temple University graduate and was born and raised in Pitman, NJ.
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Joe Brandt

/ CBS Philadelphia

A former New Jersey diner is reopening — and rebranding — .

The former Westmont Diner, on Cuthbert Boulevard near Haddon Township High School, is reopening on Thursday, March 12. The business announced the reopening on social media.

That's not all: the former diner is getting a new name. It's now simply called The Westmont.

"What began as a diner has grown into something more. A place for work mornings, weekend brunches, celebrations, and everyday moments done beautifully," a social media post from The Westmont read. "Same heart. Elevated experience."

"We are now calling ourselves a finer diner, so we're taking the diner experience and taking it up a notch," said Lisa Cortes, general manager.

Devoted customers were heartbroken when, in March 2025, a sudden overnight fire damaged the kitchen. The business was closed until further notice, and thankfully, no one was hurt.

About six years ago, the Westmont Diner moved from Haddon Avenue to its current location on Cuthbert Boulevard. The Westmont's current location was once the Crystal Lake Diner; a fire gutted that diner back in 2014.

Repairs took longer than expected with the latest fire, but now The Westmont is reopening with a fresh start. It will have a new menu, an espresso bar with fresh pastries and a community table to help bring customers together.

"People will sit there, they'll strike up conversations, they'll strike up friendships, they'll come back and see each other again and it will continue week after week, month after month," Cortes said.

"I think it's just so exciting that everyone can come together again and just eat good food, drink good coffee," said Christina Tarrach, who was excited to serve customers.

The Westmont will also now be serving wine and sangria.

Long-time customers like Amy Farry are glad the wait to reopen is finally over.

"We were just anxiously anticipating them getting here again, which is so great to see because they deserve it. You just feel welcome and at home when you're here," Farry said.

The Westmont will have a "soft opening" from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday.

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