Southern Girls Opening New Diner With Popular Sandwiches in Dolgeville

Two Southern girls are starting a new adventure, opening up a diner in Dolgeville.

Julie Izzo moved from Ashville North Carolina to New York 21 years ago. Four years ago she bought a food truck after thinking about what she wanted to do when her kids went back to school. "It was always on my bucket list to buy a food truck because I wanted to do something different, something fun, and create food inspired by women in my life who raised a family, cooked and connected with family and the community," said Izzo.

Heather Lamphere is a lifelong Central New Yorker, calling the Salisbury/Dolgeville area home. The mother of 4 and high school English teacher also dreamed of doing a food truck. "I literally fell into the chance when Julie needed help for her first show. I tell people I’m Southern by adoption in this southern girl combo."

The two have not only become business partners who work well together but great friends as well. "Forget peanut butter and jelly, I tell people we're like blackberries and gouda, after one of our popular food truck sandwiches," said Izzo.

The dream is evolving once again. Izzo and Lamphere, are expanding the business, opening up a Southern Girl Diner on Main Street in Dolgeville. Someone mentioned a diner was available for lease and it turned out the owner was someone the women knew. "We didn’t hesitate when the opportunity came up," said Lamphere.

The diner is expected to be open sometime in September for breakfast and lunch, serving up home-cooked meals. "We'll have typical diner food and the special grill cheese sandwiches we are known for having at our food truck including the blackberry and gouda," said Izzo.

The hiring process is underway and despite the number of restaurants struggling to find employees, Izzo said people have already started sending messages looking for work. "It sounds like people are starting to get back to work."

The support from the community and other businesses is also pouring in. "I think I should be scared but I'm not," said Izzo.

Lamphere isn't scared either. "We want to bring our love of food and feeding people great food to the diner."

Both are beyond excited about the new venture and look forward to the day the doors to Southern Girl Diner opens. "Dreams really do come true."