Kathy Schleyer and husband Ron MacGillivray have always had a passion for vintage diners. In 2015, the pair partnered with famed Vancouver chef Trevor Bird jumped at the opportunity to breath new life into the former Reno’s Diner location at Main and Broadway.
Housed for seven decades in Vancouver's iconic Lee Building, an aristocratic Edwardian structure first built in 1911, Reno’s Diner had fallen into disrepair; it was more of a greasy spoon joint than a vintage luncheonette. “We were all excited at the prospect,” Kathy recalls.
The renovations on the newly minted Fable Diner began in September 2015. “We kept the original ceiling and the brick, although we white-washed it, but otherwise it was a full rebuild,” Kathy adds.
Today, the 86-seat diner still retains a sense of old-school charm with its teal coloured banquettes and booths, counter stools and a nostalgic sundae and milkshake bar, but now these retro details are incorporated into a sleek, bright and minimalist design.
Located in Mount Pleasant at Main and Broadway, this quaint diner will be offering a unique, delicious and Instagram-worthy burger for this year’s festival. Picture this: locally sourced beef paired with foie gras, a sunny side egg, housemade ‘beef dripping’ mayo, pickles and diced onions.