Daily Grind's New Owner Has Familiar Face
The Daily Grind has been a staple on Park Street for 28 years.
Becky Duprat has worked at diner for about 18 years and officially became the new owner on Jan. 1. She purchased the Park Street business on Jan. 1 from Ben Acquista, who operated it for 28 years.
She said the town has been really supportive and happy for her.
"Everyone in town has been really really sweet," Duprat said.
Duprat said she and Acquista used to joke about her taking it over, and that it was a dream she'd had for awhile.
"I think it was the way it was supposed to happen that I was going to take it over," she said.
She loves talking to the people who come in, one of the main reasons she wanted to own the place.
"It seemed like the right thing to do. I love the customers. I don't want to go get a desk job. I like to talk to the old people. I like to have them and I don't want to be in a closed kitchen," said Duprat.
The eatery has been a staple on Park Street since 1997. Acquista's wife, Nancy, first opened it at 57 Park and a decade later, they moved down the street to larger quarters at 37 Park, doubling the number the seats.
Duprat has no big changes in mind — outside of some furniture upgrades — and said she wants to keep it the way it is.
"The food is the same, we didn't do anything. We bought some new chairs, we bought some new tables that's it," she said. "Don't fix what ain't broken and it's not broken. Ben did a wonderful job for 28 years and I'm not going to change it."
The Daily Grind has specials named after people and one of the most popular is the "Greg," buffalo chicken wrap with bacon, cheese, and tomato.
But Duprat says her favorite is "The Angry Reuben" which is a Reuben with a lot of horseradish.
But her favorite food to make and enjoy is breakfast.
"I think breakfast is the best. I'm a breakfast person. I'm all about going to breakfast so I think that everybody should eat breakfast all the time," Duprat said.
The Daily Grind is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed at noon on Sundays.
Duprat has been happy with all the support and says she is excited to continue the Daily Grind.
"I just want to continue … it doesn't get better. We enjoy coming to work," she said.
Tags: business changes, restaurants,
