the history
of our home

Our Lunch car has lived many lives, and we’re proud to continue its legacy as a community hub focused on bringing people together around great food and drinks.

1932

Mac’s Diner opens with the Worcester Lunch Car on the site of the former Amos Diner under the ownership of William “Mac” Maginnis

Vintage postcard showing Mac's Diner on Strong Avenue in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Black and white photo of a horse-drawn milk delivery wagon parked in front of a diner named Mac's Diner. The wagon has advertisements for milk and cream, and the horse is facing the diner, which has a striped awning and a sign on the roof. A person is standing inside the diner near the window.

1940

The name changes to Jim’s Diner

1945

The name changes to Miss Northampton Diner and remains as such until 1973

1973

The name changes briefly to White Castle in the beginning of the year, then late in the year the name changed again to Red Lion Diner

An old black-and-white photo of a Coca-Cola diner with a striped awning, surrounded by bicycle and greenery, with residential buildings and trees in the background.
A vintage red convertible car parked in front of Red Lion Diner, which has Coca-Cola signs and a striped awning.

1989

The name changes to Kathy’s Diner. Owner Kathy Teft purchased from her mother.

Colorful illustration of Kathy's Diner with vintage style artwork. The diner is red and white with a sign advertising Pepsi, and has steps leading to the entrance. There are two trees flanking the diner and a streetlamp in front. The top of the image features various scenes from different decades. The bottom depicts people inside and outside the diner, including a woman with glasses and a man with a beard eating at the counter, and a woman with curly hair holding a coffee pot. Text elements include
Black and white photo of a woman working behind the counter of a small restaurant or diner, with kitchen equipment and a man in the background.

2013

Kathy’s Diner closes. The building is purchased by Gary Perman, who begins major renovations. The oak paneling throughout the lunch car was salvaged from Eagle A. Paper in Holyoke, MA. The back room was part of their executive office, and reassembled into what had been Kathy’s kitchen.

2019

Familiars opens!

Interior of a cozy restaurant filled with customers sitting at windows and tables, wooden decor, and stained glass above the windows.
Outdoor patio of a coffee shop with red umbrellas, green trees, and brick buildings in the background. A black round sign reads 'Family Farms Coffee & Tea' with an arrow-shaped sign below labeled 'Entrance'.
Exterior of a coffee and tea shop named 'FAMILIARS' with pride flags on either side of the sign, surrounded by red brick stairs and various potted green plants and flowers.