The longtime home of Rheinland German Restaurant on Independence’s downtown Square is slated to become an all-day diner. Main St. Diner, planned for 208 N. Main St. this fall, is expected to open daily at 6 a.m. and serve breakfast throughout the day, alongside classic American plates such as pancakes, eggs and omelets and Italian-American offerings including meatball sandwiches and cannolis.
The Kansas City Star reported that the diner is being developed by Tony Restivo and his family. Restivo, who entered the restaurant industry after leaving the Navy, plans to help cook and manage the business, while his son Anthony III Restivo is expected to serve as head chef. Anthony currently works as a cook at Rae’s Cafe in Independence, and Hannah Restivo is also a co-owner, according to the Kansas City Star.
The space the family is taking over carries its own history on the Square. The storefront was formerly occupied by Rheinland German Restaurant.
A Family Business, Built From A Long-Held Dream
Tony Restivo told the Star that the family had a long-standing dream of opening a business together, and Main St. Diner will keep it close to home: four of Restivo’s children will work there, alongside their girlfriends, cousins, aunts, Restivo’s father and his father-in-law. Restivo said he lives just minutes from downtown Independence and applied for a loan to get the diner off the ground…