#ClimbOnBoard
By Stephen Wilson
The Trolley Stop swung open its doors at lunch on Monday and welcomed aboard its first few guests, namely Alison Byerly; her spouse, Steve Jensen; and Sal Panto Jr.
The College president and Easton mayor enjoyed touring the space prior to sliding into a booth and placing their first orders. (See the student preview menu.)
The diner feels warm and modern (thanks to pendant lights, slatted ceiling, and baby blue seat cushions), but has some of the standard features of a greasy spoon (hello oversized booths, stacks of booster seats, and breakfast all day!).
Most notable are the bricks that facade the columns and back wall. A small sign notes that the bricks were repurposed from some of the former houses on the 200 block of McCartney St. where the diner, College Store, and student residences now stand.
Adorning that brick wall is, again, a blend of old and new. A flat-screen TV that flashes images of signature dishes, like Cap’n Crunch-encrusted French toast and a giant Monte Cristo, hangs alongside framed images of Easton from a century ago.
Those images show the diner’s namesake: the old trolley line that ran up College Ave. from downtown between 1888 and 1939. Of course, that trolley line was started by entrepreneurial-minded Lafayette grad and future Easton mayor David Nevin.
The current mayor is excited about the new dining option on College Hill.
“This restaurant and the new book store help create a closer link between the neighbors and the College,” he said.
President Byerly is thrilled to see the original vision for the space realized so well.
“The design, decor, and menu are such significant pieces of this project,” she says. “I’m glad to see how it has transformed from plans and designs to a beautiful place. We hope the historical character in some of the design choices can help build a sense of shared community.”
The Easton Trolley, which sat parked out front, served as a symbol to carry that message of connection even further.
So did the meal shared between local leaders. Fittingly they each ordered special dishes the chef created in their honor: “The Panto” and the “Ally B.”
What’s in those dishes?
Make a reservation to find out!
While in the future it will be open to the entire community, at this time The Trolley Stop is only open to student reservations through May 29. The diner offers 10 tables of four for dine-in reservations. Each table is socially distanced both inside and outside. Hours are Monday-Friday at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. To make reservations, contact Scheduling & Events Planning at reserve@lafayette.edu. Please include your organization, contact name, telephone number, guest count, and preferred dining time.
