Flipping frowns at Montague Diner
Montague Diner in Brooklyn Heights was opened in 2024 by a group of friends who wanted to carry on the legacy of their favorite childhood diner. Photo by Thema Awoumbeng
“What we really wanted to do was…build a community restaurant, like a restaurant for the neighborhood. And…a diner was like, that was the perfect answer.”
By Thema Awoumbeng
Neighborhood diners have always been about more than just food. They’re about familiarity and community. But in a city that’s always changing, who keeps these institutions alive?
Ben Gross grew up visiting the beloved Brooklyn Heights diner, Happy Days. After the restaurant closed in 2022, Ben and his friends decided to purchase it and build their own neighborhood gathering place: Montague Diner. Since then, it’s grown into a popular joint that’s even attracted celebrities like Dua Lipa. His story shows that good food really can bring people together.
Thema Awoumbeng is a senior at KIPP NYC College Prep in the South Bronx. She is a member of her school's student council, game design club and wrestling team. She’s also the manager of the boys' soccer team and is the founder of the journalism club. When she's not busy with schoolwork and her many other responsibilities, she enjoys spending a whole day with her friends, going downtown, trying new foods, doing whatever comes to mind and ending it all with a sleepover. Alternatively, she’ll buy Chipotle and stay in bed on her phone or laptop watching her favorite shows.
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is The Bell’s immersive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students. This year’s academy was made possible by support from the Spotify Studios Union.
