Amanda Wihby

“I could be sitting here next to the governor on one side and maybe a nurse or someone in construction on the other side,”

Amanda Wihby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Amanda Wihby illustrates the diner's diverse mix of patrons sitting side by side.

“When the governor closed us down, we didn't have keys,”

Amanda Wihby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Amanda Wihby recalls having to find keys to lock up when pandemic mandates took effect.

“You have your first responders and people coming off [the] third shift, travelers, and, of course, there are the people who are coming out of the bars. … It's important for us to be here for them. And now that it's becoming a rare thing to be [open] 24 hours for diners, I feel like it just makes the Red Arrow that [much more] special.”

Amanda Wihby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Amanda Wihby explains the importance of staying open 24 hours to serve late-night patrons.

“We had never closed the restaurants, so we were struggling to find the keys to lock the door.”

Amanda Wihby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Amanda Wihby explains that they struggled to lock the doors because the diner had never closed before.

“and now he's got a family with kids, and he's running our Londonderry location,”

Amanda Wihby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Amanda Wihby highlights a general manager who advanced from dishwasher to running a location.

“We cater to all walks of life. There is a seat for everybody at the counter. And what's more American than that? I think that tradition is important, and I think it'll stay alive.”

Amanda Wihby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Amanda Wihby emphasizes that the classic American diner tradition remains important and enduring.

“We sit and find solutions and troubleshoot and find a way to squeeze out the bottom line wherever we can, but not by cutting our quality,”

Amanda Wihby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Amanda Wihby talks about finding operational efficiencies without lowering food quality.

“the focal part of the community,”

Amanda Wihby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Amanda Wihby emphasizes the central role of diners within their local communities.

“We are blessed to have the best employees in the business,”

Amanda Wihby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Amanda Wihby expresses gratitude for the diner's dedicated staff.

“It could just be a regular who has nowhere else to go and wants to come in for a warm cup of coffee and a smile and maybe sit back and watch some of the entertainment that happens,”

Amanda Wihby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Amanda Wihby describes the diverse late-night crowd that visits the Red Arrow Diner.

“We cater to all walks of life. There is a seat for everybody at the counter. And what's more American than that?”

Amanda Wihby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

A pull quote emphasizes the diner's welcoming atmosphere for people from all walks of life.

“They know customers either by name or what they eat. Someone will walk in and they're like, 'Oh, there's a chicken-fried steak and sausage gravy,' instead of their name. They banter with the customers and create memories. And that's why people keep coming back.”

Amanda Wihby · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21

Amanda Wihby describes how employees recognize repeat customers and build lasting connections.