Northside Diner holds packed ribbon-cutting

WASHINGTON — Community members eagerly crowded into the establishment formerly known as Winga’s Cafe Thursday, April 18 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the soon-to-open business of a new name: Northside Diner.

Co-owners Isabella and Ed Santoro have spent the last several years renovating the space, and expect to open it for business in a matter of weeks, once the staff roster is filled.

Isabella Santoro said she was “delighted” by the turnout at Thursday’s event, where eager visitors got a first glimpse of the completed dining area and kitchen.

“I think it speaks volumes to how important Winga’s Cafe was for so many years, and I think that means a lot,” she said. “My two greatest fears going into this were if I would have enough community support … and my second-greatest fear was having enough employees. So I’m no longer afraid of the first thing!”

The Santoros credited countless other community members for their progress renovating the location, thanking individuals who helped them secure grant funding, publicity, kitchen management, and pies.

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“I’d like to also thank the Wingas, for entrusting us with something that was very near and dear to them for many, many years,” Isabella Santoro said in a speech. “It really, really means a lot.”

The celebration was held on the 96th anniversary of Winga’s own opening day, April 18, 1928. Carol Winga, a former co-owner and the daughter of the original cafe’s founders, said she was impressed with the diner’s renovation.

"I think it’s just fantastic, what you have done,“ she said. ”It means so much to me, and my family, it’s wonderful.“

Guests who remembered the previous diner said the building’s updated interior had the same “inviting” feel as its earlier days, albeit with a more “modern” look.

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Several were pleasantly surprised by the decision to install a bar, running much of the length of the dining area, while others noted the Santoros had kept the originally installed soda fountain in service. Other renovations involved uncovering the building’s skylight, exposing its brick walls and setting up a corner full of memorabilia from the original Winga’s restaurant.

Washington Chamber of Commerce Director Michelle Redlinger said it was the best-attended ribbon-cutting she’d seen since the city’s 175th anniversary in 2014.

She and other business leaders said the restaurant was both a nostalgic landmark for the community, and a boon for the local economy.

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“The Winga family was very particular in who would be the best person to continue their legacy, and I think they found that in Ed and Isabella,” Redlinger said. “This restaurant’s an example of what makes Washington great. We have a really good community that supports and holds onto our past, but we also are progressive and we want forward movement. This is a perfect blend of that.”

Washington Economic Development Group Executive Director Mary Audia said she agreed.

“I think it’ll draw not only from our extended community, but also from like, Iowa City,” she said. “I bet you we’ll have people from Cedar Rapids and even further out that come to this, that get to know Washington. So it adds to the flavor — pun intended — of Washington.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com