Photo: Bristol County Sheriffs Office
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WBZNewsRadio) - The former Shawmut Diner has officially hit the auction block, starting at just $10. The online auction began this week and runs through July 27.
The 1953 diner served the community of New Bedford for decades before it's closure in the spring of 2014. That's when owners Phil and Celeste Paleologos donated the diner to the Bristol County Sheriffs Office (BSCO), with the hope it would be used to help inmates lean the restaurant business. The pair even paid for the diner to be relocated onto BSCO property.
Unfortunately the BCSO was unable to secure the millions of dollars needed to transform the old diner into a teaching facility to train inmates. Without the funding or plans for the historic diner, Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux decided to place the diner up for auction.
“Hopefully, it will find a good home. It’s a unique piece of local history,” Sheriff Heroux said.
All funds generated from the auction will go back to the state of Massachusetts.
The diner needs a lot of work, it has no kitchen or cooking equipment and will need bathrooms. And it's important to note the new buyer will need to move the diner off BSCO property.
If you're interested in viewing the diner, the BSCO is hosting a public viewing on Tuesday, July 25 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
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