MacAlpine's Diner Transforms with $50K Makeover Grant

MacAlpine’s Diner and Soda Fountain will use the money to update the building’s exterior.

PHOENIX — A historic diner in Phoenix is set for a significant facelift.

MacAlpine’s Diner and Soda Fountain has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express’s “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” program.

Owner Monica Heizenrader expressed the grant’s impact, stating, “$50,000 for us is huge. That makes a really big difference.” She plans to enhance the exterior to match the charm of the diner’s interior.

Currently recognized by its bright yellow exterior, the building will undergo several updates. Planned improvements include a fresh coat of paint, a mural on the side wall, and repairs to existing damage.

Heizenrader also mentioned dealing with graffiti problems, necessitating the replacement of glass windows—a $10,000 endeavor now feasible with the grant money.

The diner, which struggled financially during the COVID-19 pandemic, had to close temporarily. Nonetheless, over $35,000 in community donations helped it reopen, albeit with limited hours.

“The first day that we reopened we had customers in here crying who were afraid we would never reopen, and the sentiment from the community has just been amazing,” Heizenrader remarked.

With the diner approaching its 95th anniversary, Heizenrader remains committed to its restoration and longevity. “We’re just trying to get MacAlpine’s up to what it used to be,” she said.

Looking forward, Heizenrader aims for the diner to continue serving sundaes well into the next century. “We’re just beyond excited to be able to welcome people back into MacAlpine’s again,” she added.

MacAlpine’s owners also intend to expand its operational hours and menu in the coming weeks.