N.J. restaurant's Facebook plea gets over 20K views

The "for sale" sign is coming down, and restaurateurs Jennifer and Michael Aiello hope it's not too late.

CLINTON -- Since January, there's been a 'for sale' sign in front of the Fine Diner here, but the restaurant's not for sale -- the building is.

Restaurateurs Jennifer and Michael Aiello have been fielding questions daily about the sign, and Jennifer said Tuesday the situation's taken a toll.

"We're generally down about 50 to 100 people a day," she said. "This past Mother's Day we were down 100. Back in the day on a Sunday, we'd serve 450 people. Now, it's 300 or so."

The lunch crowd on Tuesday was still hopping at 1:40 p.m., and Aiello credited a Facebook post she put up that morning. Checking her phone, she said, "It''s gotten 19,993 views so far."

The "for sale" sign's coming down, Aiello said, but she hopes it isn't too late. "So many people think we're closed," she said. "Our bills don't stop, but people have to come in and eat for us to be able to pay."

RELATED: Despite 'for sale' sign, Fine Diner is staying

The restaurant has been open at the site for close to nine years, she said. The Aiellos were offered the opportunity to buy the building, but it's more than they can spend, Aiello said.

In March, when the "for sale" sign had been up for several months, she spoke of the support she and her husband have received from customers, many of them regulars.

At 1:40 p.m. the parking lot in front was full. The front door, plastered with Trip Advisor stickers honoring the restaurant, opened into a bustling atmosphere.

"Last Thursday there were two people in for lunch," Aiello said. "On Friday it was dead by 2."

The Fine Diner is at 1 Old Highway 22 in Clinton, roughly across from Krauszer's. It serves breakfast and lunch Tuesdays through Sundays, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.