New Point diner celebrating 20 years of family and friends

(NEW POINT, Ind.) – A popular family-owned diner in New Point will be celebrating a milestone anniversary this weekend. 

Theresa and Leo Fullenkamp took ownership of Midtown Diner in 2006 and it’s been a family affair ever since. 

Their children, parents, relatives, and even close friends have all worked at the diner at one point or another. 

The menu also features family-inspired recipes such as Martha’s Homemade Pies, which are made by Theresa’s mother Martha Dramann. 

That sense of family extends to the customers as many of them have formed close relationships with the employees. 

“We’ll see one of our regulars walking outside to come in, and their drink is already on the table before they sit down,” said their daughter, Meghan Henderson. 

Theresa added, “There’s been times when a daily customer isn’t here one day and we’ve called a relative of theirs to make sure they are fine.”

During COVID, they were concerned about some of the elderly customers who were unable to cook at home. Midtown Diner would sometimes deliver meals or offer carryouts for them. 

“The customers are also incredibly understanding. If they know one of our employees is going through a rough time, they give them grace and just are really supportive,” said their daughter, Grace Allgeier. 

The diner is located in a historic building right along the railroad tracks at 2036 South County Road 825 East in New Point. That building has previously been a hardware store, pool hall and a train station. 

Nowadays, the walls are filled with old-time photos of the people and places of New Point along with several antique items. 

Customers can enjoy either breakfast or lunch with a wide selection of menu options and daily specials, which the diner keeps as cheap as possible. 

“Nearly everything here is homemade, especially the daily specials as well as the goetta, that is a family recipe as well,” Grace said. 

If you time it right, you can even get a hair appointment as there’s an independent beauty salon located within the building as well. 

The diner is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Sundays from 7-1 p.m. 

Celebration on Sunday

This coming weekend will mark the family’s 20th anniversary of owning Midtown Diner. 

Just like any business, there have certainly been struggles but Theresa is quick to mention that the positives far outweigh the negatives. 

“It’s amazing the amount of people we’ve met by either them working here or coming in as patrons. For example, when the girls got married so many customers were invited to the weddings because they see them everyday and feel like family”

“It’s just been a lot of good relationships and a lot of good memories,” she added. 

They will celebrate the anniversary with a community party called Midtown Diner Bash from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, September 27. 

It will feature music by Dan Gutapfel, beer, ten local vendors, food, and also specially-designed t-shirts. 

“We are incredibly grateful for your support, loyalty, and friendship throughout the years. Thank you for walking through our doors, sharing meals with us, recommending us to friends, and making Midtown Diner part of your lives,” the family said.  

You can learn more about Midtown Diner Bash by clicking this link.