Beyond the Rust: Our Silver Side Journey

For 38 years, it stood as a Harrisburg legend. A landmark of steel and chrome. The East Shore Diner—a place where community was built and memories were served daily. But in the path of unstoppable progress, a colossal force emerged: The I-83 expansion project, threatening to wipe this beloved icon off the map forever. Faced with total demolition, one family made a choice. They wouldn't let the story end. They wouldn't just close the doors... they would move the entire building to a new home. In an audacious feat of engineering and heart, the diner was lifted from its foundation and transported 12 miles across the river—a steel phoenix of rust on a difficult journey.

That journey was filled with unforeseen obstacles, frustrating days, and moments when the entire dream seemed heavier that the building to lift. Yet, with every challenge, there was a glimmer of hope— perseverance showed us forward.

This entire experience taught us that even the biggest challenges hold a profound reward, a chance for transformation. Our name isn't just a nod to the building's silver steel side or being in Silver Spring Township; it’s the truth we've built our new beginning on: there is always a Silver Side to every struggle.

Now, rebuilt and reborn, a new legend rises. No longer the East Shore, it has been reimagined for a new era.

This is the Silver Side Cafe and Creamery. The legacy... continues

Forged in Steel: The Seventy-Year Saga of a Harrisburg Diner

Origins: Seybold's Diner - A Classic O'Mahony Arrives (c. 1952)

The diner's story begins around 1952, emerging from the workshops of the Jerry O'Mahony Diner Company of Bayonne, New Jersey. O'Mahony was one of the most prolific and respected diner manufacturers of the era, known for producing durable and stylish eateries that became icons of American roadways. The arrival of an O'Mahony diner signified quality and adherence to a popular architectural form. This particular model, installed at 711 S. Cameron Street under the name Seybold's Diner, possessed a distinctive "L" shaped configuration.1

This design choice was somewhat unique. Rather than being a completely self-contained prefabricated unit, the O'Mahony structure comprised two factory-built sections: a large front section facing Cameron Street and a smaller section attached to the right rear. These prefabricated elements cleverly wrapped around the front and right side of a permanent, on-site constructed cinder block building which housed the essential kitchen and restroom facilities. This hybrid approach, combining factory precision with site-specific construction, likely represented an adaptation to maximize seating capacity or conform to the specific dimensions and constraints of the Harrisburg lot. It demonstrates the flexibility within the prefabricated diner model, allowing customization to meet operational needs. Being an O'Mahony product immediately placed Seybold's Diner within a significant lineage of American diners, marking it from its inception as a noteworthy example of mid-20th-century commercial architecture.

A Period of Transition and Uncertainty: Ray's Diner and the Sheriff's Sale (Early 1980s)

After its initial run as Seybold's, the diner entered a period of transition, operating under the name Ray's Diner by the early 1980s. This phase, however, proved tumultuous. By early 1981, the diner was observed to be closed, its windows bearing "Sheriff's Sale" posters – a clear indication of financial distress and likely mortgage foreclosure.  Such sales represent auctions of property and assets to satisfy outstanding debts, signaling a critical point of vulnerability for the business and the building itself.

The diner's condition during this period underscored its precarious situation. An eyewitness account from November 1981 described the interior as having been completely gutted – stripped bare of its counters, stools, booths, and back-bar equipment. This state of abandonment and asset removal represented a near-death experience for the structure. Many historic commercial buildings facing similar economic hardship do not survive such periods, succumbing to neglect, natural disaster, vandalism, or eventual demolition. The fact that Ray's Diner stood vacant and derelict, stripped of its essential components, highlights the very real possibility that this O'Mahony classic could have been lost entirely. The significant damage also meant that any future revival would require not just a simple reopening, but a substantial investment and restoration effort, setting a challenging stage for potential new ownership.

Revival and Community Anchor: The East Shore Diner Era (1984-2022)

Against the odds, the diner structure was rescued from its derelict state. In 1984, the Katsifis family acquired the vacant and gutted building.  Recognizing the potential within the classic O'Mahony shell, they undertook the considerable task of bringing it back to life. This involved significant time, effort, and financial investment to completely renovate the interior, installing new counters, stools, and other necessary fixtures to replace what had been stripped away.

This marked the beginning of a remarkable 38-year period of stability, hard work, passion, and service, which formed a special place that served so many. Under the stewardship of the Katsifis family (later Bill and his wife, Dorothy), the East Shore Diner became more than just a place to eat; it evolved into a beloved local institution. Patrons and staff described it as having a "family" atmosphere, a place where regulars were known and connections were forged – akin to the welcoming environment of the television show "Cheers". This long tenure cemented the diner's role as a community anchor, demonstrating the profound impact that dedicated owner-operators can have in preserving not only a physical structure but also its social significance. The East Shore Diner became woven into the fabric of Harrisburg life, serving as an informal gathering place and a familiar landmark on South Cameron Street.

The Diner That Moved: How a Harrisburg Icon Escaped the Wrecking Ball

After nearly four decades of continuous operation as the East Shore Diner, an external force emerged that would necessitate another major change. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) planned I-83 Capital Beltway Expansion Project, specifically the I-83 South Bridge Project, required significant reconfiguration and widening of the highway infrastructure in the area.  This large-scale public works project included modifications to the interchange at Cameron Street, directly impacting the land occupied by the diner.

The diner's location became untenable as the project required acquiring the property for the highway expansion.  PennDOT officially designated the East Shore Diner as a "dislocated business," a classification acknowledging the forced move due to eminent domain. This would mean that the diner building would be moved a second time since being build in the 50’s.  This designation entitled the Katsifis family to compensation for the real estate value and, crucially, to business relocation assistance and benefits. This assistance would prove vital in making the prospect of saving the historic structure feasible.

The impending threat to the diner did not go unnoticed. The Historic Harrisburg Association, recognizing the diner's significance and the danger posed by the highway project, placed the East Shore Diner on its Preservation Watch Lists for both 2022 and 2023. This inclusion signaled formal community awareness and concern, highlighting the diner as a valued historic resource facing potential loss. Such listings often serve to rally support for preservation alternatives to demolition.

Despite the unavoidable highway project, the Katsifis family made the difficult decision to close their beloved Harrisburg location. September 1, 2022, marked the East Shore Diner's final day after 38 years. The alarm clock still rang at its familiar 4 am, but the grill and ovens remained cold as Bill and Dorothy spent the day connecting with patrons through conversations, interviews, and heartfelt goodbyes. A signed "Farewell Tour" t-shirt, became a memento of this chapter's unbelievable end and the anticipation of a new beginning.

"You know, after nearly four decades, it wasn't just a business anymore. Our customers were family, and we felt like an important piece of Harrisburg history. We'll always be thankful to that community for everything they gave us, for making our diner live and breathe for so long – all the way to the very end." - Bill Katsifis

Preservation Through Relocation: The Silver Side in Mechanicsburg (2022-Present)

The situation exemplified a common tension in urban development, where necessary infrastructure upgrades can conflict with the preservation of cherished local landmarks and businesses.

Faced with closure, the Katsifis family chose a path of preservation rather than allowing the historic O'Mahony structure to be abandoned. Leveraging the relocation assistance provided by PennDOT and their own commitments, they embarked on the complex process of moving the entire diner building. In October 2022, the L-shaped O'Mahony diner sections were carefully separated, loaded onto trailers, and transported approximately 12 miles west, across the Susquehanna River, to a new site in Silver Spring Township, Mechanicsburg, near Cumberland Valley High School.

This successful relocation represented a significant victory for diner preservation, demonstrating that even substantial, vintage structures can be saved and given a second life. The move necessitated a rebranding effort. No longer the "East Shore Diner," the establishment adopted the new name "Silver Side," reflecting its new location in Silver Spring Township and a shift in its business model. The Silver Side placed a new emphasis on ice cream, artisan coffees, and desserts, aiming to appeal to the new neighborhood. Our adaptation showcases how historic businesses must often evolve their offerings to remain viable in new contexts, blending preservation of the physical structure with necessary business adjustments.

After site preparation and reassembly, the Silver Side prepared to enter the rebuilding part of it’s journey.