The Miss Florence Diner

We spent the holiday weekend in the area around Northampton, Mass., attending the Massachusetts Sheep and Wool Festival (more on that later) and seeing some of the local attractions. When we travel we're always on the lookout for old diners. The Miss Florence Diner, in Florence, Mass. (on Rt. 9, just west of Northampton), has been in business since 1941 and was accorded landmark status in 1999 when it was added to the National Register. I had first been here in 1995 and was curious how the place had fared since. The Miss Florence didn't disappoint. With a typically voluminous diner menu, the food was tasty, plentiful, and quick. And as you can see from the pictures, the atmosphere was authentic diner, right down to the tableside jukeboxes (which worked). So many old diners have closed their doors, unable to keep pace with the national fastfood franchises. I just hope the Miss Florence can survive the current economic climate and keep its doors open.