Present Day      

UPDATE:  April 18, 2008

Complete article from The Standard - http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=993478&auth=GRANT+LaFLECHE+Standard+Staff

Diana Sweets furnishings have been bought and are on their way back to Niagara!  Randy Clare from Clare's Cycle has purchased the remaining lot from the antique dealer in Buffalo and is bringing it to Niagara-on-the-Lake to be restored and put in his new Harley Davidson Store.  It is not exactly as we had planned and hoped, but at least she will be preserved and located closer to her downtown St. Catharines home.  We are excited and relieved - Thanks Randy!

For over 75 Years, Diana Sweets --"The Di" --w as a conspicuous landmark business in the downtown core....   Equally as important was the major role which it played in the social and cultural life of St. Catharines.  Although the "Di" went through three major changes in managment during its history as a restaurant -- the Grammar family, the Droganes Brothers and finally Maria Correa -- still, it never lost its ambient charm and atmosphere.  The "Di" became a meeting place for three and possibly four generations of St. Catharines residents, whether it was for a quick coffee or snack, lunch or dinner with friends, family or co-workers, or simply as a quiet retreat for a few moments durning a busy day.  The "Di" was a comfortable, familiar destination where the staff got to know regular customers by name, and could take their orders without having to ask for it.

When the "Di" closed in 1996, a vital downtown business was lost, joining in with the demise of other long established firms such as Coy Bros Hardware and Levitt's China.  The blow became even more poignant with the removal of the original Art Deco interior and other restaurant fittings which were shipped to Buffalo, destined for resale to the highest bidder.  The "Di" is just one example of several historically and architecturally significant downtown structures or built heritage features which have vanished within recent memory.

Scroll down for Diana Stories!

     Diana Stories

Submitted by: Pamela Grammar, St. Catharines- January 5, 2007

Just for fun I was searching the internet to see if there was information about the Diana Sweets and came across your website. I am impressed with your effort to revive the memories of this restaurant that is especially close to my heart because it is a part of my grandfather(Peter Grammar/owner) who I unfortunately did not get to know because he passed away before I was born. I felt very sad when they sold and removed the contents of the restaurant and sent them to Buffalo when they belong here. I felt like a part of my connection with my Grandfather was taken away. I agree this is a part of St. Catharines' history and should be returned where it belongs and has significant meaning. Thank You

Submitted by: Dan Hilton, St. Catharines- September 15, 2006

The Di was a staple in downtown St. Catharines while I was growing up (1970's, 1980's).  We used to go and hang out there for the floats and atmosphere.  It was a great place to get a clubhouse sandwich and take a special person out to lunch.  It would be great to get its historic/antique contents back to St. Catharines so we could all enjoy the memories again and perhaps create some new ones.  GO FOR IT, Friends of the Di!

The Di was a big part of our social life when we were kids growing up in the 50s and 60s. If we had a little money we could always go to the Di for a treat - 15 cents for a lime freeze, 25 cents for a chocolate sundae. There was always something going on...you always knew some kids in the other booths, and you hoped there might be a favourite boy, especially a Ridley boy. My friend's older brother was banned, for life I believe, for filling the sugar bowl with salt. In the 70s and early 80s I went there a lot for lunch with fellow Library staff. It was cheap, good and fast, and most of the waitresses were nice. I feel sorry now that we always asked for separate checks. My last vivid memory of the 'old' Di is the summer of 1983 when I brought in my new baby, Peter (now 23) to show off to the waitresses. Those days were so much fun, we never thought they would end.Submitted by: D. Lynda Cochrane, St. Catharines- June 22, 2006

In my memory bank I have created a special corner where I have deposited a kaleidoscope of Diana Sweets recollections. As I journey into the past, a collage of scenes dance before my eyes: Peter attired in his pristine, white jacket, positioned behind the soda fountain whipping up his ice cream delights; waiting impatiently for a vacant booth during the lunch-hour rush, while continually scanning the crowd for a departing diner; relishing the arrival of my David Haram sundae accompanied by a Ginger and Grape Flip; congregating at the Di on Saturday afternoons, following our endless hours spent at Hunters Record Store spinning 78 records; dashing into the Di before 9 am to order my take-out coffee(I worked at the St. Paul and Queen Commerce Bank and kept my java warm by placing it on the creaking radiator beside my desk).

What wonderful days they were! It is not about where we are going....It is about where we have been.
The time we’ve had.  The time we’ll have.....One memory, one expectation.  Hold them and treasure them,
For they are us.  (St. Catharines Centennial Book)

Submitted by: Connie Tracey, St. Catharines- June 20, 2006

My memories of Diana Sweets   Being a teenager in the '60's, I spent many hours in "The Di".  Their fries with gravy and their cherry cokes (or sometimes, 'Diana Surprises') were second to none.  It was the place to be on Saturday afternoons, before heading off to Hunter's to check out the new records - in fact, you would see so many friends at 'The Di'  that it was common to go on 'nickel brigades' - collecting 5 cents from everyone, until you had a dollar to buy a 45 rpm record at Hunter's.   I wish that my kids, and their kids had a place to go that was as welcoming and safe - and that would provide such happy memories.

Submitted by: Florence Bell, St. Catharines- June 20, 2006

My memories of Diana Sweets were being there in the 1950's and having a cherry coke & vanilla cokes & boston cream pies with my friends on Saturdays.  Bring back the Di!

Submitted by: Diane Pilling, St. Catharines- June 20, 2006

My memories of Diana Sweets were with the Junior A hockey players (Mike Bloom & Marcel Dionne) attending the Di after all their practices.  All the high school students from Collegiate & Dennis Morris.  The girls followed all the boys there and it was quite the hang-out in late 1960's.

Submitted by: Harv & Ruth Emmerton, St. Catharines- June 19, 2006

Our memories of Diana Sweets were when it was our haven in a sea of downtown professionals.  Our home caught on fire in the late 1970’s and was severely damaged.  We lost clothes, furniture, some of our treasured possessions, and our sense of security.  While we were trying to coordinate its repair, over the next several months, we would lunch at “The Di”.  It was our peace and quiet in-between arranging for our life, and our childrens lives to be rebuilt after the fire.  Bring back the Di!

Submitted by: Kelly (Campbell) Lostracco, St. Catharines- June 4, 2006

I can remember every Saturday, my best friend and I would go shopping downtown. We either went to Woolworth's or Eatons (when it was at the corner of St. Paul and Ontario). Then we would head down to the Di for french fries and a coke or an ice cream float. Like many others, I know our names our etched in those old benches also. We can't have the old days back, but I don't see why they can't bring the Di back. I bet you will see business increase in downtown St. Catharines if the Di came back. And after that, maybe they can bring Kresge's back too!

Submitted by: Kim Payne, St. Catharines- June 2, 2006

While touring the Great White North back in 1989 I met a young lady who felt compelled to take me to the Diana Sweets on a date. The friendly banter going on around me and the character of the place was a real treat, her company wasn't bad either!. Because I was on my best behaviour I didn't enter my own message to the well graffitied cubicle, but I was impressed by the level of literacy of past Di visitors - barely a swear word in sight! Anyway, the young lady became my wife and much to her parents chagrin we moved back to Australia to live and start our family. While over there I heard about the closing of the Di and was oddly disconcerted that it had gone - it had seemed a permanent fixture and I had looked forward to future visits to its gumwood booths. We've since moved back to St. Catharines where I now find myself happily involved in a community project to bring back what remains of the Di. I know the Di has gone, it will never be the same, but the stories of those booths etched in layers of carved initials and the patina from countless diner's backsides sliding backwards and forwards as they idily chatted (and perhaps flirted) makes for a compelling mission.

Submitted by: Virginia Panko, Thorold- May 11, 2006

In the late 1940s and early 50s, before the start of a new school year, my mother would remind me that it was time for our annual shopping trip to St. Catharines. We lived in Thorold, without a car, so our journey would start very early in the day, first walking up Battle and Pine Streets, then down Sullivan Avenue which took us over the smelly old canal and past the high stacks of logs at the lumber mill. We climbed the wooden stairs to the top of Front Street, where we boarded a bus which would take us to 'the city', and eventually St. Paul Street. My mother's idea of a successfull shopping trip was to come home with full bags of school clothes, shoes and books, mine was the promised rest stop at the end - Diana Sweets. All the time we walked, my mother told me that I would have to behave and if so, we would have lunch at the restaurant and possibly a hot chocolate sundae or banana split. Which would I choose? The anticipation of these desserts, covered in whipped cream, topped with a cherry, silenced me through the long bus trip as it wound its way through Merritton, up over the narrow train bridge, past the canals and finally deposited us on St. Paul Street. After an arduous day of shopping we would step into Diana Sweets where the first sound you heard was the soft clinking of cutlery - probably from the long silver spoons against the tall fluted glasses as everyone scopped the last bit of chocolate out of the bottom. Sweet smells as one entered enticed us further into the cool interior, a welcome retreat after the long expedition of shopping for school clothes on a hot August day. I remember the rich wooden booths, the high ceilings, the lazy fans moving ever so slowly, but most of all, I remember the beaufitul, inticate floor tiles in black and white. Now as I rush through the mall with my grandchildren, catching a glimpse of the teens slouched over their snacks at the food court, I wonder if they would ever believe that a kid from Thorold had to spend a better part of the day thinking of the magical splendor of Diana Sweets and the yearly treat of a hot chocolate sundae with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Submitted by: Pam (Rigby) Daniels, St. Catharines - May 9, 2006

Well, where do we start? I can't remember any part of my childhood or teens that didn't include the 'Di'. My parents took us there for sodas when shopping downtown, which was and still is the only place to shop! Later, my friends and I would meet at the 'Di' before sneaking off to see an Elvis movie which was banned by our parents! What can I say about high school! It just was 'the' place to be. I'm sure that if I didn't carve my name in a booth myself, that someone else did it on my behalf. There, we were able to check out all the older kids and the hunks from the Collegiate! We got snubbed by the 'sorority girls' but we didn't care as long as we had our chips and cherry cokes! When I started dating my first husband in high school we spent a lot of time there! We would skip school just about every day and go there for tea! That was until Mr. McCausland caught us. As time went by, I can remember taking my own children there and sharing our 'Di' stories with them;at least the ones we could safely tell! It would be wonderful to see the booths etc. again. Good luck in your campaign to bring the 'Di' back home!!

Submitted by: Zack Boukydis- April 25, 2006

Hello: I support the saving, preserving, and 're-living' of Diana Sweets in St. Catherines. My grandfather, Charles Boukydis was part owner, along with his cousin Constantine Boukydis, of Diana Sweets in Toronto. I have wonderful childhood memories of visiting my grandfather in Diana Sweets, and sometime during that era learned that there was a Diana Sweets in St. Catherines. It is heart warming to read peoples' memories of time spent in St. Catherine's Diana Sweets. My father, who grew up in the restaurant business would always interact with me, whenever we visited any restaurant, and we would talk about what would make a restaurant, special - in an enduring way- not just a 'one shot' fancy night out way. It had to do, obviously, with well prepared, (and presented food), but equally important with how people were treated, the overall welcoming atmosphere and the timeliness of being cared for -being fed. We need more, not less, places/people who truly feed people, not just process them. Best wishes in your efforts Zack Boukydis

Submitted by: Ruth McLean, St. Catharines - April 24, 2006

My time spent at the Diana Sweets ranged mostly between 1952 and 1957 as a teenager on Saturday nights with a large group of friends after attending Hilda Rankin's ballroom dancing class at her studio on Yates St. I met my wife to be at dancing class at the age of 13 or14 and Gail and I have fond memories of the time spent at Diana Sweets. There was always a large group with us including Tim Rigby, Sam Malcolmson, Barry Matheson, Richard Robertson, Larry Kunselman, Susan Lambert, Peggy Clarkson, Laurel Godwin and more. Cherry Cokes, Chocolate Sundaes, Malted Milkshakes and a variety of Floats seemed to be the regular orders. I'm sure that Gail's and my initials appear somewhere on those old wooden boothes. What a wonderful time it was and what wonderful memories it would bring back to sit and have a Cherry Coke in one of those secluded private boothes at the Diana Sweets.

Submitted by: Gail Warnica, Campbellford - April 21, 2006

Well my favourite recollection of the Di is when my brother and I went to the show on a Saturday, and we would be given 25 Cents to spend on treats. We had the choice of buying something at the show or stoping after the show for a coke float. The Di won every time and we would go and sit in one of those lovely booths and order and drink our coke floats. We were pretty young but were always treated respectfully. I haven't lived in St. Catharines for many years and on one return visit couldn't believe that the Di was gone. My mother and my Aunt when I was quite young 3 or 4 took me there for lunch one day. This would have been in the early 50's. Wow that was a treat, as we seldom ate out in those days. I had my favourite a grilled cheese sandwich. But the coke floats or ice cream sundaes were always what you looked forward to. Hope you can bring the interior of the Di back to where it belongs.

Submitted by: Christine Anderson, St. Catharines - April 21, 2006

When I worked downtown Diana Sweets was the place we all enjoyed to go for lunch.

Submitted by: Susan Marett, St. Catharines - April 21, 2006

I remember going to Diana Sweets in Port Huron, Michigan, with my parents when I was 7 or 8 years old. Was allowed to have a sundae or ice cream soda. WOW!! My husband & I moved to St. Catharines in 1976 & I was amazed to find a Diana Sweets location here. Visited it for the grilled cheese & fries. Mmmm! Bring it back!

Submitted by: Anna Squire, St. Catharines - April 21, 2006

Ah sweet memories of Diana Sweets. My best friends Dale, and Hazel and I used to go into Diana Sweets at least every weekend in the late "60's) to meet with other friends. We used to share our favourite sandwich Chicken Salad and fries and coke. The booths were the best ever and the waitresses always treated us (teenagers) as if we were somebody. These are truly sweet memories

Submitted by: Brian Nahri, St. Catharines - April 20, 2006

I was first taken into Diana Sweets by my parents in the mid-1960s when I was in public school as a treat for being a good boy. (Normally we'd have lunch down the street at the Kresge lunch counter!) As I grew up, we started to eat at the Di more and more frequently because of the friendly atmosphere and good, inexpensive food. Of course when I was in my teens I did carve my initials into one of the booths on the right hand side, about three-quarters of the way towards the back. I guess my handiwork is still on the panel, but sitting over in Buffalo right now. I remember once when I was about 7 or 8 years old, being taken into the Di with friends of the family for lunch. The other mom had more difficulty keeping her children under control so when we sat down she reached into her purse and pulled out a huge wooden spoon which she placed very calmly and deliberately in the centre of the table. She told my mom that it was called "the discipliner" and of course her kids were on their best behaviour all throughout the lunch. Another fond memory that I have was years later, when Maria Correa owned the Di. For a couple of years at Christmas she had the late Mr. Charles Day come into the Di dressed as Santa. She had a special large wooden chair set up just under the stained glass transom, and whoever wanted to, had the opportunity to sit in Santa's lap and tell him what he/she wanted for Christmas. Of course, we all got candy canes afterwards. I have a photo of the Di Santa somewhere. We all have great memories of the Di, and I look forward to reading more of them on this web page!

Submitted by: Xenia (Knechtel) Murphy, Southampton - April 19, 2006

Because money was rather scarce in the 1940's, it was a huge treat to visit Diana Sweets!  I attended Central School on Church Street for Grade 7 and very often we walked to Diana Sweets for some Candy at lunch or after school.  Very rarely did my generation go out to eat.  It was a very special occasion when we went out for a meal.  My favorite was Turkish delights (fruit jelly in squares, rolled in icing sugar) with all the fruit flavors.  As teenagers, we were still welcomed to the Di except the waitresses would get upset if a group of boys & girls had to go to the bathroom at the same time, the waitresses stood a good chance of being knocked down when they came out of the kitchen swinging doors with their trays of food.   I remember twisted ribbon candies, jars of licorice sticks, all the wood trim, soda bar, had to get a hot beef sandwich as a teenager, plate of fries, the milkshakes, ice cream sundaes were fantastic, banana splits.  Very private booths - great for dates.  I used to meet with Sheila Rolston, Joanne Boyce, Doug Little, Joanne (Walker) Remnant, Shirley Perkins, Ann & Bob Peabody, Phil Zeller, Timmy Rigby, John Guest, Barry Matheson and all the Ridley boys...... good times!

Submitted by:  Nancy Dolan, St. Catharines - April 19, 2006

Hey Sally: Bet you didn't know that when I was 16 I was a Diana Sweets waitress and that my neighbour was their baker! Home made pies!!! mmm!!

Submitted by:  Tammy Dollar, St. Catharines - April 19, 2006

When I was growing up I had a best friend named Becky. Her Mom took us to Diana Sweets for lunch many times. Our favourite part was ordering a Shirley Temple. It came in a great looking glass with marachino cherries. I felt so important when it arrived at our table, not to mention how great the food was. It was a very sad day for St. Catharines when we lost this icon of our community. I think its a great idea to try to reclaim the Di. There will never be another place like it!! Anybody who ever had the great opportunity to enter Diana Sweets and spend time in its ambience will understand what I mean.

Submitted by:  Sally (Hilton) Dollar, St. Catharines - April 18, 2006

I grew up with my 4 brothers & sisters in downtown St. Catharines in the 1970's.  We always had our noses pressed up against the glass at the "Di" looking at the ice cream and goodies.  My mom took me there for my first "grown up" lunch (by myself without my brothers and sisters - very special) -  and I went on my first real date at the "Di" and while eating my french fries & gravy and sipping my "Diana Surprise", I carved my name in to the table in my booth with the tong of my fork (my mom assured me it was o.k. to do so and that it was almost expected).  I want to get the "Di" back and see if it survived!