The former American Dream diner and adjacent gas station on Herr Street in Harrisburg may be demolished to make room for a new convenience store.
A vacant Harrisburg diner may soon be demolished to make room for a new convenience store.
On Tuesday, Harrisburg City Council heard a proposal to demolish the former American Dream Diner and an adjacent gas station on Herr Street in order to construct a modern, 24-hour convenience store.
The diner, located at 1933 Herr St., most recently operated as Harry’s Bistro, which opened in early 2021 and closed shortly afterwards. Next door, at 1951 Herr St., are a gas station and small convenience store.
Nirmal Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill with Mechanicsburg-based M&N, Inc. have proposed razing the current structures, which Nirmal owns, and building a 2,400-square-foot convenience store.
According to the owners, they have been leasing the properties for the past several years. As both structures became increasingly blighted, they decided to construct a more modern convenience store on the site.
“We are trying to have a better look for the place overall,” said Aman Gill, Nirmal’s daughter and partner on the project.
While the applicants’ land development plan proposes demolishing all structures on the property, Aman told TheBurg that someone had purchased the diner. However, she is unsure whether the buyer will be able to move the diner building in time. If it is not moved, the diner would be demolished, she said.
Demolition of the diner and gas station could take place in several weeks. Construction of the new store would take around four to five months, Aman said.
Aman said that the new convenience store would also offer hot food and beer, with indoor seating. They are considering keeping it open 24 hours, as well.
There would be four gas pumps on site.
Several city council members asked questions related to safety improvements in the area. Gill said they would plan to install security cameras, and are considering hiring a security guard during evening hours.
Council is slated to vote on the project at its next legislative session on Sept. 12.
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