Elmer’s Diner: The Community Diner
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Interview Conducted by: LaKeema Moore Alcimé
A Feature Story for Ideas At Work & Beyond
Despite what some critics are saying about the location of Elmer’s Diner, the new business is definitely flourishing - -and with good reason: the owner, Elmer Palma, wouldn’t have it any other way. The man with the vision and an extremely huge heart has opened up a posh diner in Danbury, and if all continues to go well, he is here to stay.
I had the distinct pleasure of dining at Elmer’s Diner on Padanaram Road with my family, and my dining experience was truly enjoyable. From the moment I stepped foot in the quaint establishment, I was greeted warmly by the employees, and above all, with a huge smile and personal greeting from the man behind the vision himself, Mr. Elmer Palma. Not only did he greet my husband and I, but gave our three sons a friendly greeting by giving them all “high-fives” to welcome them. First impressions are lasting ones, and before we even had the pleasure of tasting of the delectable menu items, I was already convinced that this new diner would not be like any other in town. It was Elmer’s friendliness and commitment to ensuring the comfort of his customers that struck a chord in me, and I am sure, is winning the favor of many of his regular customers.
The diner itself was nice and clean, with spacious seating booths and tables, and employees and servers that were really attentive to our needs. The menu had endless selections (and even had a “healthy food choice” section) and the prices were affordable. We also did not wait long for our entrees once we ordered. The food was absolutely delicious, and Mr. Palma himself revealed the secret to his culinary success. Once we finished dining, Mr. Palma and I took a table toward the back of the facility to start the interviewing process.
Mr. Palma was relaxed and comfortable and willing to divulge everything about the journey to opening this great establishment here in Danbury. Amid complaints about the location of the business, Mr. Palma seemed unfaltering in his dedication and motivation to ensure the quality of service and success of his diner, and was eager to share his vision and thoughts with me. So, get ready to meet the man behind the vision – Mr. Elmer Palma.
LMA = LaKeema Moore Alcimé
EP = Elmer Palma
LMA: Mr. Palma, what made you decide to open a dining business here in Danbury?
EP: I did some research and found that many people were tired of eating at fast food restaurants. Families have no place to dine that focuses on healthy eating at an affordable price. I believe in business – I believe that more people should start businesses to build the community. I wanted to open an upscale diner with healthy food choices, affordable meal prices, and good, quality service where the customer is our main priority. That’s why it says on my menus that if customers don’t like what they ordered, they can let me know and they will not be charged for their meal. I also believe in family, as a family man myself, and I love to see families come to my diner and have an enjoyable dining experience.
LMA: What are some of your goals/aspirations for your business in the next 5-10 years?
EP: I really want to make this diner community-oriented. I want to start scholarships funds. I also want to offer a Senior Citizen Discount Card to our elderly citizens, expand the parking lot, offer free valet parking, and expand the variety of healthy foods on my menu. I also plan to conduct tours of the facility (especially the kitchen and lower levels of the diner) so that people can see exactly what they are paying for. I have nothing to hide from my customers – if I tell them that the food they are eating is fresh and healthy, they don’t have to take my word for it. They can see for themselves.
LMA: How does your business benefit the citizens of Danbury?
EP: I think my business enhances the family structure in a safe, warm, and clean environment where people can eat fresh foods containing high-quality ingredients. My health is very important to me, and I want the citizens of Danbury to know that their health is important to me as well. I also plan to sponsor events for local youth sporting teams. I just want to use my business as a vehicle to invest in the community in a positive way.
LMA: What types of challenges did you face when this business venture began? Did city officials make it difficult for you to obtain licensure to operate this business?
EP: There was some difficulty, but not really from city officials. From day one, they have been cooperative. They granted me the license to open the business at this location, and any mistakes that were made by my contractors and me, the inspectors made sure we corrected it before opening the business to the public. My contractors immediately remedied the minor problems.
LMA: Were you forewarned about the zoning and space issues you might face if you opened the diner at this location?
EP: All permits to build were granted legally. I wasn’t forewarned about zoning issues because the Commission allowed for the construction of the building at this location. The building was constructed exactly the way it was approved by the city of other officials. I have to say that the Mayor may have received some backlash for supporting me and my decision to have the diner built at this location, but I don’t think that you can please everybody when opening a business or starting something new in the community.
LMA: What do you think about the criticism you’re received about the location of the diner and potential problems it may cause? There was a commentary in The News Times that reported that your business was “too close to the road and on a small lot that [won’t] provide sufficient space for parking and entering and exiting on that busy road… [and] “customers are also parking in the lots of other businesses and then attempting to cross the road – stopping traffic and endangering their lives and the lives of others.” Do you think these concerns are valid or even factual?
EP: Despite what negative things some citizens say, the citizens and city officials of Danbury still have embraced me and there are so many people with huge hearts who want to support me and everything that I want to do for this community. I can’t say that the concerns of some people are right or wrong, but I believe that people are entitled to their own opinions. I am working on the parking issue. As a matter of fact, the State Farm Insurance agent across the street has agreed to let me use some space in her lot for parking for my customers. The lot has an additional 20 parking spaces for my customers, and once I begin Valet Parking, customers can have their cars parked in the lot by professionals that I will employ to make their dining experience more safe and pleasurable. I am working to do all I can to provide safe and quality service to the citizens of Danbury. My business is here to stay in Danbury – eventually, I want to open more diners in this great town to better serve the people.
LMA: How would you describe yourself and your contributions to the community? What do you want the citizens of Danbury to know about you?
EP: That I am a very simple person. I work hard. I take care of my employees. I am an honest person. I want to prove to the citizens of Danbury that this diner will be like no other diner they have ever patronized before. I just ask that they support me and tell me what needs improvement – their honesty and support will make my business better. I am a perfectionist and I want everything to be done professionally and in decent order. When I came here from Ridgefield, I didn’t know what type of people the citizens of Danbury would be or if they would be supportive of me and my business. Now, I can see how supportive they are – my place is always busy with happy, friendly people who can appreciate good food and good service. I worked hard all of my life and it feels very good to now be able to see the fruits of my labor.
A Feature Story for Ideas At Work & Beyond
Despite what some critics are saying about the location of Elmer’s Diner, the new business is definitely flourishing - -and with good reason: the owner, Elmer Palma, wouldn’t have it any other way. The man with the vision and an extremely huge heart has opened up a posh diner in Danbury, and if all continues to go well, he is here to stay.
I had the distinct pleasure of dining at Elmer’s Diner on Padanaram Road with my family, and my dining experience was truly enjoyable. From the moment I stepped foot in the quaint establishment, I was greeted warmly by the employees, and above all, with a huge smile and personal greeting from the man behind the vision himself, Mr. Elmer Palma. Not only did he greet my husband and I, but gave our three sons a friendly greeting by giving them all “high-fives” to welcome them. First impressions are lasting ones, and before we even had the pleasure of tasting of the delectable menu items, I was already convinced that this new diner would not be like any other in town. It was Elmer’s friendliness and commitment to ensuring the comfort of his customers that struck a chord in me, and I am sure, is winning the favor of many of his regular customers.
The diner itself was nice and clean, with spacious seating booths and tables, and employees and servers that were really attentive to our needs. The menu had endless selections (and even had a “healthy food choice” section) and the prices were affordable. We also did not wait long for our entrees once we ordered. The food was absolutely delicious, and Mr. Palma himself revealed the secret to his culinary success. Once we finished dining, Mr. Palma and I took a table toward the back of the facility to start the interviewing process.
Mr. Palma was relaxed and comfortable and willing to divulge everything about the journey to opening this great establishment here in Danbury. Amid complaints about the location of the business, Mr. Palma seemed unfaltering in his dedication and motivation to ensure the quality of service and success of his diner, and was eager to share his vision and thoughts with me. So, get ready to meet the man behind the vision – Mr. Elmer Palma.
LMA = LaKeema Moore Alcimé
EP = Elmer Palma
LMA: Mr. Palma, what made you decide to open a dining business here in Danbury?
EP: I did some research and found that many people were tired of eating at fast food restaurants. Families have no place to dine that focuses on healthy eating at an affordable price. I believe in business – I believe that more people should start businesses to build the community. I wanted to open an upscale diner with healthy food choices, affordable meal prices, and good, quality service where the customer is our main priority. That’s why it says on my menus that if customers don’t like what they ordered, they can let me know and they will not be charged for their meal. I also believe in family, as a family man myself, and I love to see families come to my diner and have an enjoyable dining experience.
LMA: What are some of your goals/aspirations for your business in the next 5-10 years?
EP: I really want to make this diner community-oriented. I want to start scholarships funds. I also want to offer a Senior Citizen Discount Card to our elderly citizens, expand the parking lot, offer free valet parking, and expand the variety of healthy foods on my menu. I also plan to conduct tours of the facility (especially the kitchen and lower levels of the diner) so that people can see exactly what they are paying for. I have nothing to hide from my customers – if I tell them that the food they are eating is fresh and healthy, they don’t have to take my word for it. They can see for themselves.
LMA: How does your business benefit the citizens of Danbury?
EP: I think my business enhances the family structure in a safe, warm, and clean environment where people can eat fresh foods containing high-quality ingredients. My health is very important to me, and I want the citizens of Danbury to know that their health is important to me as well. I also plan to sponsor events for local youth sporting teams. I just want to use my business as a vehicle to invest in the community in a positive way.
LMA: What types of challenges did you face when this business venture began? Did city officials make it difficult for you to obtain licensure to operate this business?
EP: There was some difficulty, but not really from city officials. From day one, they have been cooperative. They granted me the license to open the business at this location, and any mistakes that were made by my contractors and me, the inspectors made sure we corrected it before opening the business to the public. My contractors immediately remedied the minor problems.
LMA: Were you forewarned about the zoning and space issues you might face if you opened the diner at this location?
EP: All permits to build were granted legally. I wasn’t forewarned about zoning issues because the Commission allowed for the construction of the building at this location. The building was constructed exactly the way it was approved by the city of other officials. I have to say that the Mayor may have received some backlash for supporting me and my decision to have the diner built at this location, but I don’t think that you can please everybody when opening a business or starting something new in the community.
LMA: What do you think about the criticism you’re received about the location of the diner and potential problems it may cause? There was a commentary in The News Times that reported that your business was “too close to the road and on a small lot that [won’t] provide sufficient space for parking and entering and exiting on that busy road… [and] “customers are also parking in the lots of other businesses and then attempting to cross the road – stopping traffic and endangering their lives and the lives of others.” Do you think these concerns are valid or even factual?
EP: Despite what negative things some citizens say, the citizens and city officials of Danbury still have embraced me and there are so many people with huge hearts who want to support me and everything that I want to do for this community. I can’t say that the concerns of some people are right or wrong, but I believe that people are entitled to their own opinions. I am working on the parking issue. As a matter of fact, the State Farm Insurance agent across the street has agreed to let me use some space in her lot for parking for my customers. The lot has an additional 20 parking spaces for my customers, and once I begin Valet Parking, customers can have their cars parked in the lot by professionals that I will employ to make their dining experience more safe and pleasurable. I am working to do all I can to provide safe and quality service to the citizens of Danbury. My business is here to stay in Danbury – eventually, I want to open more diners in this great town to better serve the people.
LMA: How would you describe yourself and your contributions to the community? What do you want the citizens of Danbury to know about you?
EP: That I am a very simple person. I work hard. I take care of my employees. I am an honest person. I want to prove to the citizens of Danbury that this diner will be like no other diner they have ever patronized before. I just ask that they support me and tell me what needs improvement – their honesty and support will make my business better. I am a perfectionist and I want everything to be done professionally and in decent order. When I came here from Ridgefield, I didn’t know what type of people the citizens of Danbury would be or if they would be supportive of me and my business. Now, I can see how supportive they are – my place is always busy with happy, friendly people who can appreciate good food and good service. I worked hard all of my life and it feels very good to now be able to see the fruits of my labor.
4 Comments:
No one ever said Elmer's wouldn't be a great place to have a family meal. What was said was that Elmer's would be a lousy place to park at or drive by. He should have had the parking problem solved while the building was being built. Stop whining. The criticisms are more than valid.
commented by 
Chris, 9:45 AM
Chris, 9:45 AM
Question to Elmer Fudd,
1. When did you realize that your 20 parking spots were not going to be good enough for your 80 seats?
2. Did you consider and traffic problems when you bought the land?
3. Did you consider the environmental problems when you built your crappy diner two inches from the brook?
4. Will you be able to sleep well at night when the first person is killed darting across the street to your diner or when someone, who's parked on the street, opens their door and creates an accident because they're park too close to the street?
5. Why didn't you consider building a diner further down the street?
6. Why do you care more about money and profits than the safety of your customers?
I'll be waiting for your answer...
1. When did you realize that your 20 parking spots were not going to be good enough for your 80 seats?
2. Did you consider and traffic problems when you bought the land?
3. Did you consider the environmental problems when you built your crappy diner two inches from the brook?
4. Will you be able to sleep well at night when the first person is killed darting across the street to your diner or when someone, who's parked on the street, opens their door and creates an accident because they're park too close to the street?
5. Why didn't you consider building a diner further down the street?
6. Why do you care more about money and profits than the safety of your customers?
I'll be waiting for your answer...
this property was once owned by the city of danbury and given for FREE to a non profit. The non profit got approvals and sold it for 70k. Two Danbury men with close connections to city hall, Dan Dibuono and Dick Ramey purchased it and in less than a year flipped it for a 300k profit.
think about it.
think about it.
Why is it that when Elmer, a man of hispanic descent, opens a succesful diner at this location, which was previously a diner as well, he gets all of this flack for it? I don't recall the previous diner owner, who was no doubt a White person, getting so much negative press and criticisms for having his diner in the exact same location. This is clearly a racial issue, not a spatial issue. People can be killed doing anything -- not just crossing the street! I think parkinig at a diner should be the least of our worries in a country tht condones racism and prejudices, glorifies violence, and could give a damn about educating people about the unknown before they pass judgement. This man is simply trying to provide the city with a diner that will allow people to have a pleasurable dining experience and help his community with the proceeds.
