Around four years ago, the Clinton County community celebrated saving what was left of the legendary stainless steel diner at U.S. 52 and State Road 28 as it was moved a few miles down the road to undergo restoration and be stored in a safe location, out of the elements.
Over the past year, KNS Radio news staff has received numerous inquiries about the status of the refurbishing and what the future plans are for it.
We were surprised after some inquiries outside of the county to find that it no longer is in Clinton County and furthermore, it hasn’t been for a little over a year.
A little over three years ago, it was taken to a warehouse at the Good Oil property at I-65 and State Road 28.
KNS Radio has learned the Duck In Diner was sold a little over a year ago to Gary Smith, a realtor and retiree from Inland Steel. Smith took the diner to a property east of Covington and promises to bring it back to its former grandeur.
It opened in 1952 as the Rose Haven Diner and remaining a U.S. 52 landmark through a series of names, including the Duck In Diner, Alexander’s Sit-N-Bull Café, U.S. 52 Diner, Country Crossroads, Shirley’s Restaurant and Flo’s Roadside Diner. It finally closed in 2010. It had been looted over the years, with missing stools and kitchen equipment, broken windows and stripped wiring. It was delivered by rail in 1952 in two separate units. It was manufactured by Mountain View Diners, who made more than 400 prefabricated diners between 1938 and 1957.
KNS Radio has reached out to Smith and is hoping for an update soon.