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.