Fall River’s Iconic Nite Owl Diner Getting New Life

Some of my fondest memories as a kid while visiting my grandparents in Fall River revolve around classic lunch counters — especially the Nite Owl.

I’ll never forget sitting on those old school maroon-colored chrome stools with my Pep, grabbing a burger or a hot cheese sandwich, watching the world go by on Pleasant Street. The times were simple and life moved slow.

For years, that little diner – with its iconic owl sign perched above – sat quiet and empty, like a landmark frozen in time. Many wondered if it would ever buzz with life again, myself included.

Enter into the chat Fall River native Brian Levesque, who is stepping up to put the Nite Owl back on the map in a more modern way.

A New Chapter for a Classic

Levesque joined The MGM Show to announce that he is “planning to reopen it and make it a takeout-only building."

"I know it’s a disappointment to a lot of people who want to go inside, but it’s just not possible with the rules and regulations that are set for buildings that size," he said.

He explained that adding an indoor bathroom would take up nearly all the interior space, leaving no room for a kitchen or seating, so takeout is the most practical decision.

Parking, once a challenge around that corner of Pleasant Street, has also been addressed. “I actually have seven parking spaces in that lot now. So there’s going to be ample amount of parking for people,” he said.

Get our free mobile app

What’s on the Menu — and When?

Levesque said that menu details will be shared later as the project progresses.

As far as the name is concerned, he offered a tease. “It’s going to be the Nite Owl, then a bunch of other words at the end of it," he said.

Comments on Facebook hinted it could be something like a pizzeria or similar, but as of now, Levesque isn’t ready to reveal everything just yet.

As for timing, his goal is spring. “I’m hoping May. I don’t know exactly when in May, but that’s the plan," he said.

Passion and Potential

Why take on this project? Well, for Levesque, it’s personal – and local. “It's (the Nite Owl) literally right down the street from me," he said. "I’ve grown up in this area and it’s always been in the back of my mind that it’s such a cool place to do something.”

READ MORE: Fall River Restaurant Creates the SouthCoast's Ultimate Dish

He also sees the timing as right for Pleasant Street, with city revitalization efforts creating momentum. “I really hope that once this opens up, other places down Pleasant Street will start popping in restaurants or something and make it like a little fair street," he said.

Preserving Memories in the Details

During renovations, Levesque discovered all kinds of long-forgotten relics – forks, vents, and other bits of diner history – that he plans to preserve. “I’m saving it all and going to have like a little shadow box of all the cool stuff that I found," he said.

As for those classic stools from my childhood, they are still around. He’s hoping, conditions allowing, they might get a second life on an outdoor deck where folks can sit and enjoy their food.

READ MORE: A Timeless Piece of Diner History in the Westport Woods

In the end, whether you loved the Nite Owl as a kid or are just eager to see a piece of Fall River history returning to life, this project is shaping up to be something worth watching – and soon, worth tasting.