Owners Plan to Convert Classic Laurel Diner Into a Marijuana Dispensary

The Tastee Diner in Laurel, Maryland, could soon be spiking appetites without selling diner food.

NBC reports that new owners of the rare American original constructed in 1951 plan to convert it into a medical marijuana dispensary. That includes a renovation that will mimic the look of an office building. A zoning variance is in the works to set the conversion in motion.

The longtime destination for omelettes and coffee, originally known as Laurel Diner, features an iconic square-shaped metallic design made by short-lived firm Comac Incorporated. Only two U.S. Comac designs exist; the other is in Albany, New York.

Jhanna Levin of the Laurel Historical Society is attempting to salvage the bones of the site, according to NBC. One option is potentially removing and repurposing the portable structure, which was originally trucked from New Jersey, but city council president Michael Leszez tells NBC the funds aren’t there for that to happen.

Eater DC reached out to Leszez for further comment but did not immediately hear back.

More than 1,700 people have signed a Change.org petition to “Save the Laurel Tastee Diner.”

It’s unclear when the diner may close in order to make way for medical marijuana.

“We’ll be open through the holidays, I’m sure,” an employee tells Eater.

Two other area Tastee Diners exist in Bethesda and Silver Spring.

• Laurel Debates Turning Historic Diner into Marijuana Dispensary [EDC]