Walt and Lesa Parent retire from longtime family business on Old Forge’s Main Street
Dave Aliasso and Lesa Parent at Walt's Diner in Old Forge. Photo by Carol Hansen
Effective December 1, Dave Aliasso of Old Forge became the new owner of Walt’s Diner, a popular Main Street eatery which has been operated by the Parent family for the last 18 years.
Husband and wife team Walt and Lesa Parent ran the diner together up until two years ago when Walt retired to pursue his passion for tree work and began operation of Walt Parent and Sons Tree Service.
Lesa continued to manage the restaurant and was responsible for the cooking and baking, but admitted it was getting a little tough without her partner.
So, last summer she began looking for a buyer. She found the perfect choice with Aliasso.
“Dave cooked for us when he first moved to Old Forge in 2000 and we trust him wholeheartedly to do a great job,” Lesa said.
“I would never walk away from the restaurant if I thought he wouldn’t be successful. He’s a hard worker and I know it will be in good hands,” she added. Aliasso, former owner of Aliasso’s Italian Deli in Old Forge, said he did a lot of catering when he operated the deli, and will incorporate the service at the diner as well.
