Marshall couple blends nostalgia and family tradition at Era’s Diner
By Nick J. Buckley / For Black Squirrel News
MARSHALL — The smell of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon fills the air at Era’s Diner, where silverware clatters against plates and the steady chatter of customers carries across the dining room.
For generations, the downtown Marshall diner has been a gathering place.
Now, after sitting vacant for about seven years, the former Kate’s Diner has reopened as Era’s Diner, welcoming its first dine-in customers Oct. 23.
Marissa and Tyler Burghdorf, both Marshall natives, purchased the property in 2023 and spent much of this year preparing to reopen it with help from their two adult children.
“Little things like this, sitting down, talking, having a meal, talking about 20, 30 years ago. I think people want that personal connection now more than ever because we’ve just kind of gotten away from it,” Tyler said.
Making it their own
Built in 1900, the two-story building at 129 W. Michigan Ave. has housed several restaurants over the years, including the Ritzee, Ken’s Cafe and Kate’s Diner.
Kate’s Diner embraced the 1950s and ‘60s, with Betty Boop memorabilia and a red-and-teal color scheme. The Burghdorfs have shifted the focus to the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s at Eras Diner, reflecting the pop culture of their generation through retro-style televisions, cassette tapes, VHS tapes, toy soldiers and an old pay phone.
The classic diner look remains, with black-and-white checkerboard floors, orange counter stools, turquoise chairs and colorful coffee mugs featuring characters such as Garfield and Snap, Crackle and Pop.
This isn’t the couple’s first experience running a business in Marshall. Marissa owns Urban Reflections next door and is a partner in Yellow Door Thrift Shop, while Tyler has operated a construction business for more than two decades.
They also have their own memories of Kate’s Diner, where they ate together while dating and later brought their children.
“He settles me down a little bit,” Marissa said. “I have him dream a little bit.”
A family and community effort
As the Burghdorfs worked toward reopening the diner, one question kept coming up: When would it open?
Tyler had plenty of construction experience, but renovating the century-old building was only part of the undertaking. The couple also had to redesign the kitchen, meet building and safety requirements and learn the ins and outs of restaurant operations.
Progress was slow as they balanced the project with their other businesses. Early this year, they decided it was time to open, spending nights and weekends working on the diner.
Marissa recalled thinking, “I don’t know if we can do this.”
Family, friends and local contractors helped along the way. Their daughter, Anaya, developed the specialty coffee menu and helped with the decor, while son Gavin assisted with construction, cooking and other work behind the scenes. The diner now employs 10 people.
The Burghdorfs began serving customers through a walk-up window Aug. 1, using the soft opening to test their menu and gather feedback before opening the dining room in the fall.
They’re continuing to refine the menu based on customer suggestions, with plans to expand lunch offerings and bring back some favorites from Kate’s Diner. They’re also exploring possibilities for the building’s second floor.
For Marissa, one of the most memorable moments came during a preview night for family and friends. After months of work and uncertainty, the family gathered for a group hug.
Tears welled in Marissa’s eyes as she recalled the moment.
“We did it.”
If you go
Era’s Diner
Location: 129 W Michigan Ave, Marshall
Hours: Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
How we reported this: Black Squirrel News made multiple visits to Era’s Diner for interviews with the owners, family members and customers, as well as firsthand observation and photography. Property records and historical materials were also reviewed to verify details about the building and its previous use.
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