What Should We Turn These Empty Diners Into In The Hudson Valley?

In 2025, I'm surprised that there are empty diners within the Hudson Valley. The diner culture in New York state makes residents happy and it's something that visitors enjoy.

Where else can we go to have breakfast, lunch and dinner at whatever time we please? Diners usually serve great portions and always have the best goodies for dessert!

I also love that you can casually hang out at diners either solo or with more people for as long as you like when they're open. I visited the world's smallest diner upstate New York. This diner is located in Watkins Glen and truly is tiny!

What Would Hudson Valley Residents Want To Open In Area?

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For years, Hudson Valley residents have been sharing their opinions in different Facebook groups of stores and eateries that should come to the area. The most common one where I see conversations is in New Paltz, NY Facebook groups.

We've all agreed that we need a Whole Foods, Wegmans and of course, Trader Joes.

SEE MORE: 2 Fan Favorite Hudson Valley Diners Make List Of Best In New York State

What Diners Have Closed In The Hudson Valley?

The Genesis Restaurant Diner closed in New Paltz, NY and now has been torn down.

However, the College Diner also in New Paltz, NY has been closed but would make a great location and space for another diner in this college town.

A celebrity visiting the Hudson Valley diner has been for sale for years. James Murray also known as Murr, from TruTv's Impractical Jokers visited this Orange County, NY Diner in January of 2020.

The Valley Diner on Route 9W, located in the Middle Hope area closed their doors. They were open for about 6 years. I had the chance to eat there. I'm surprised that this diner has been closed for such a long amount of time, especially in a busy and prime location.

What Should We Turn These Empty Diners Into In The Hudson Valley?

My answer to the question of what we should turn these empty diners in the Hudson Valley would have to be, into more diners. The space, the vibe and setting is already there so why not transform it into something new but still keep the diner scene relevant in the area. 

If the community didn't want to add new diners into these previous ones, they could open stores that we don't have in the area yet.

In a New Paltz Community Facebook group from 2023, there was a post made by a member who was asking the community if they love Trader Joes.

This member then shared a form to fill out and send to Traders Joe to recommend a location to open next. They also included that the old Genesis lot would be an ideal location.

Hudson Valley residents and Facebook users were quick to share their response on this matter on social media. They included that Kingston or Poughkeepsie would be better locations. Other users share their excitement and want to make this happen in New Paltz and also add an Aldi's to the area.

While the comments were mixed about Trader Joe's opening in the Genesis lot in New Paltz, it was a suggestion that was made on the New Paltz Community page. It was interesting to see different sides to this question with valid points.

What would you like to see open in the Hudson Valley? Which diner in the area is your favorite to visit? Tell us more below.