Shorty's Diner
DECEMBER 2024
Get ready for a second helping of Shorty’s
Diner to expand with additional Yorktown location plus catering
By Melissa James, York County Contributor
There’s just something universally appealing about a ‘50s diner. The only thing better? Two of them.
Shorty’s Diner has been a staple of The Edge District since opening its doors inside the James-York Plaza in upper York County. Known for its comfort food and nostalgic vibe, the popular eatery pays homage to classic 1950s diners.
Tony Short grew up in the restaurant industry—helping his father, Gil, launch Shorty’s in October 2011.
“My dad said, ‘Let’s open a restaurant and see what happens.’ It was so successful that now we’re all a part of the business,” Short said.
With the recent retirement of his father, Short is poised to leave his mark on the family business with the opening of a second County location in Grafton. Diners in the lower County are eagerly awaiting the new addition, which will be more convenient. It will be located in the former Bay Haven Grille on Route 17 and is anticipated to open in late February. Short has long been instrumental in the expansion of the business, with an additional location in Richmond and one more slated to open by a family friend in St. Louis next year.
Shorty’s Diner specializes in down-home breakfasts, lunches and desserts like Mom used to make. Meals are prepared from scratch daily by the restaurant’s dedicated employees. While each establishment is unique, all of them have that family feel and 1950s décor—replete with tributes to Elvis Presley.
“Our slogan is, ‘It’s not fancy… It’s not fat-free… It’s just the way it used to be,’ and we live by that,” Short said. “If they did not have it in 1955, neither do we. I think what people enjoy about Shorty’s Diner is that it’s a place where they can step back in time and just be.”
Short is particularly looking forward to the opening of the Grafton location, which he is building essentially from the ground up. The space is undergoing a major remodel. Renovations include replacement of all the furniture, flooring, bathrooms and kitchen equipment.
“We’re all so excited about it. It’s going to open up more opportunities for us to continue to grow,” he said. Short had been eyeing a location in lower York County for years, he said. He once looked at taking over the beloved Pop’s Drive In when it closed, but it didn’t work out. Instead, state Sen. Danny Diggs (a friend of the family) helped them secure the Bay Haven Grille site at 6500 George Washington Memorial Highway.
“It was a blessing in disguise,” Short said. “The new space ended up being quite perfect. I’m really excited for the large space from a culinary perspective—it’s going to allow us to be more efficient. The whole place will be completely rejuvenated and something that will make us proud.”
York County’s Economic Development Authority recently awarded Shorty’s Diner with a development incentive of $125,000 to assist with the project, which the business will receive once renovations are completed and the restaurant opens.
“We are absolutely delighted that Shorty’s Diner has chosen to expand within York County. This new location will not only fill a gap in the lower part of the County but will revitalize a space that was unoccupied and in need of updates—which aligns with the EDA’s efforts to redevelop existing sites within York County,” said Darren Williams, deputy director of York County’s Economic and Tourism Development Department. “Additionally, having a restaurant like Shorty’s Diner, with its classic diner aesthetic, adds to the vibrant and diverse character of the County.”
Short and his team anticipate the lower County restaurant to be the new flagship location for the business. In addition to serving up the traditional fare for which Shorty’s Diner has come to be known, Short’s goal is to also invigorate the diner’s catering services, relying on recipes his mother, Barbara, taught him how to make. He’ll also continue to give back to the community. Short is a strong supporter of first responders and members of local youth athletic teams—many of them loyal customers of the diner.
“We really believe in establishing relationships with our customers. We’re all about greeting everyone, chatting with our regulars and what my father calls ‘table touches’—where we go and touch the table and talk to people. That’s important,” said Short.
As construction gets underway, Short and his team—which also includes his daughter, Rylee, a sophomore at Christopher Newport University—plan to host a variety of pop-up events. These will include cookouts in the parking lot and collaborations with adjacent businesses to familiarize those in lower York County with their brand.
“The County has been amazing, and all the neighboring businesses have been so warm and welcoming,” Short said. “It’s amazing how our little family-owned business has had such an impact.”