My name is Danielle the owner of The Rise N Shine. This cute little diner has become a significant part of my life. Not just because I became the restaurant owner but this place has made a huge impact in my life as a person, and my journey has made everything oh so much more sweeter in the end! There's a lot of history to be known in this place. We've come a long way in recent years. Things began back in 2009, I lost my job and was unemployed for almost a year. I was going through one of my darkest times in my life; no money and three daughters to take care of. I prayed. I prayed for help, and I prayed for strength to get it together. In that moment, and I do mean in that very moment, the phone rang. It was a call from my stepfather, Tommy Rozzano, about a position at The Rise N Shine Diner! A longtime friend of Tommy’s, Peter Henessey, needed a waitress full time. I couldn't believe it! I hadn't waitressed in a while, but it was just another adventure I would take. Especially when I was so down on my luck. I desperately needed the money to take care of my family. So, of course, I accepted. Danielle’s Story
I clearly remember I couldn't even find this diner! It was tucked behind the Valvoline, with not much signage. I drove around a few times looking for the diner, and I almost gave up, until I saw this tiny, rundown building. Pete, who I had never met, welcomed me right away and eventually became like an uncle to me. I was instantly drawn to helping Pete build his business. I believed in the potential of this tiny, little, off-the-beaten path diner. He had owned many restaurants in his day and had been a great friend to many; but little did we know, this diner would be his last stop. A few years down the road, Pete fell ill with leukemia. It all happened so fast. He was told he didn't have a lot of time. One day, he called to me to his bedside at the hospital. Pete, having no family, felt that I was the right person for the job. He wanted me to have the diner. I was humbled, confused, and scared, but most of all I was determined. I was determined to help Pete while he was in the hospital in hopes he would beat the sickness and come home…but he didn't. A couple months later he died. I was sad but I was inspired to grow, what he thought, could be the best little diner in this city! I began my new journey as a business owner. I couldn't look back, only forward. My thoughts were to continue building this business, like Pete would have wanted. To RISE to its potential I knew it had the day I stepped foot in the diner, and to keep the warmth that Pete gave, was how I would portray this tiny, little place…and to make it SHINE. Today, our mission is to share great tasting food and to make it memorable. Food is a universal language; it brings people together from all walks of life and makes memories, long-lasting ones, if we so choose. So, we try to bring a little bit of that into our neighborhood, every day. We Rise (everyday). We Shine (make everyday lovable, livable, laughable and make each moment count). We Grind (and we work our tails off every day to make all this happen)! So enjoy!
~ Danielle ~
