Saratoga Business Journal
By Rod Bacon
A popular Ballston Spa eatery that went through some hard times and eventually closed has reopened under new ownership and with a new name.
Ashley Livingstone, who was the manager of the Route 50 Diner for five years, has leased the space and renamed it Doubleday Diner.
According to Livingstone, the previous owner, Walter Hyra, passed away during Covid and his son, Bryan Hyra, took over operations. He was unable to make a go of it and it closed permanently in November 2024. Livingstone signed a lease with plaza owner in March. A Chinese takeout restaurant and a nail salon occupy the rest of the plaza.
Livingstone purchased all new kitchen equipment from Restaurant Depot in Colonie, as well as installing new carpeting and seating. There are 13 tables and three seats at the counter.
“We installed everything ourselves,” she said. “We had friends who came and helped us get it done. It’s been a team effort, for sure.”
The team includes Chef Sergio Felix, who is also the chef at Compadres Diner in Gansevoort, as well as Ashley’s mother, Linda Livingstone, and Manuel Felix. There are also 15 kitchen and front-of-the-house employees.
“That number fluctuates,” Livingstone said. “We are busier in the summer and I like to give high school and college kids an opportunity to earn money while they’re on vacation.”
She noted that she has been in the restaurant business for 16 years and Sergio Felix for 10.
The diner serves breakfast and lunch, offering a variety of typical diner fare. Breakfast choices include bacon and eggs, pancakes, and omelets. For lunch patrons can order burgers, french fries, club sandwiches, and Reubens. There are specials that might include stuffed peppers or soup of the day.
Livingstone noted that they can cater events and in the future plan to include dinner hours.
Supplies for the kitchen come from Hudson, N.Y.-based Ginsberg’s. Plans include adding US Foods of Clifton Park and By George Food Specialties of Ballston Spa.
When the diner was under the previous ownership they delivered to both the men’s and women’s veterans’ houses in Ballston Spa.
“I’m going to pick back up on that,” said Livingstone. “We were delivering to both houses every Thursday and we’re going to start doing that again.”
The diner’s pricing offers a 10 percent discount to all veterans, police officers, firefighters, and EMT personnel.
According to Livingstone, the response to the new ownership has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We’ve had so many repeat customers coming back and saying how happy they are that we’re open again,” she said. “They say they loved it before and were sad to see it close.”
Currently, Doubleday Diner is open 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Those hours will change if dinner service is added.
A website is under construction.