A long journey – how Nellie's Diner came to be
The idea for Nellie’s Diner was born during a trip to the USA in 2016. In the apartment by Dockside Dave’s, Madeira Beach in Florida was a guestbook with a recommendation from a previous guest for a great place to eat: Cody’s.
Standing outside was a classic Chevrolet and genuine vintage petrol pumps. When Nellie saw the door, with its handles made from petrol pump nozzles, she said to Tommy:
“If we ever get our own joint, we’ll have handles like this.”
The decor and menu at Cody’s were impressive. They ordered a portion of Key Lime Pie each which completely floored them. And so the dream began to take shape.
Cody’s in Florida
Tommy had already started to collect old signs, and his great interest in cars and fascination for old petrol pumps and number plates fitted right in with their shared vision.
The door handles at Cody’s
In autumn 2018 they dismantled an old barn outside Sollebrunn together, keeping the sheet metal, timber and facade. Every plank was carefully taken down and brushed clean of dust. Rusty old nails were kept to be used for future decor. Logs from Sjöstedt’s old barn on the other side of the road were put aside to be the frame for a cash desk. The old planks would form the side panels which would work well with the original 19th-century timber walls.
Ladan plockas ner i
Sollebrunn
Up to this point Nellie and Tommy didn’t have any premises, but one day they got a call from Jan Hagström, the owner of the petrol station and store in Sjövik, who suggested they buy the property, so that it could be kept open. They jumped at the chance and asked Kicki, who had worked in the store since she was a kid, to continue to run the business.
When Nellie saw the old office and attic above the shop she realized her dream of opening a diner could finally come true. Nellie’s Diner began to take shape here, in the perfect place, with a filling station and store next to the retro route.
The timber for the cash desk
John’s Pass in Florida
A full renovation of the outside was started in the autumn of 2018, together with an extension that would accommodate both a bakery and a distribution center for the Systembolaget. A large and spacious veranda was built on top of the extension.
When the renovation was finished work on the interior was started, while Nellie trained to be a sommelier so she could offer knowledgeable advice about wines.
On March 31st 2022, the first guest took hold of the petrol pump door handle and walked into the newly opened dream– Nellies Diner.
Nellie’s Key Lime Pie
With flavors from the USA
Förutom inspirationen fick Nellie och Tommy även med sig smaker från Cody’s. Nellie bad om receptet på deras Key lime pie, bakad på chokladbotten, och fick det nedskrivet på baksidan av en papperstallrik. Väl hemma lade hon till bränd maräng och vips var Nellie’s Key Lime Pie född. Sött och syrligt på samma gång, med smak av vanilj, choklad och minnen från USA.
The idea for Nellie’s Diner was born during a trip to the USA in 2016. In the apartment by Dockside Dave’s, Madeira Beach in Florida was a guestbook with a recommendation from a previous guest for a great place to eat: Cody’s.
Standing outside was a classic Chevrolet and genuine vintage petrol pumps. When Nellie saw the door, with its handles made from petrol pump nozzles, she said to Tommy:
“If we ever get our own joint, we’ll have handles like this.”
The decor and menu at Cody’s were impressive. They ordered a portion of Key Lime Pie each which completely floored them. And so the dream began to take shape.
Tommy had already started to collect old signs, and his great interest in cars and fascination for old petrol pumps and number plates fitted right in with their shared vision.
In autumn 2018 they dismantled an old barn outside Sollebrunn together, keeping the sheet metal, timber and facade. Every plank was carefully taken down and brushed clean of dust. Rusty old nails were kept to be used for future decor. Logs from Sjöstedt’s old barn on the other side of the road were put aside to be the frame for a cash desk. The old planks would form the side panels which would work well with the original 19th-century timber walls.
Up to this point Nellie and Tommy didn’t have any premises, but one day they got a call from Jan Hagström, the owner of the petrol station and store in Sjövik, who suggested they buy the property, so that it could be kept open. They jumped at the chance and asked Kicki, who had worked in the store since she was a kid, to continue to run the business.
When Nellie saw the old office and attic above the shop she realized her dream of opening a diner could finally come true. Nellie’s Diner began to take shape here, in the perfect place, with a filling station and store next to the retro route.
A full renovation of the outside was started in the autumn of 2018, together with an extension that would accommodate both a bakery and a distribution center for the Systembolaget. A large and spacious veranda was built on top of the extension.
When the renovation was finished work on the interior was started, while Nellie trained to be a sommelier so she could offer knowledgeable advice about wines.
On March 31st 2022, the first guest took hold of the petrol pump door handle and walked into the newly opened dream– Nellies Diner.
With flavors from the USA
As well as inspiration, Nellie and Tommy also brought flavors from Cody’s. Nellie asked for their Key Lime Pie recipe, baked with a chocolate base, and was given it written down on the back of a paper plate. When they got back home they added burnt meringue and thus was Nellie’s Key Lime Pie created. Sweet and tart at the same time, flavored with vanilla, chocolate, and memories from the USA.
Cody’s in Florida
The barn being taken down in Sollebrunn
John’s Pass in Florida
The door handles at Cody’s
The door handles at Cody’s
The timber for the cash desk
Nellie’s Key Lime Pie
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