LaBARGE - Cheryl Pierce laughs as she remembers shopping in a local store with son Matthew a few weeks ago.

Most everybody in the store asked her how the renovation was going on the town's newest eatery, the famed Moondance Diner that she and husband Vince bought last year.

"We were walking away, and Matthew turned to me and said, 'Mom, do you remember when we were just a normal family before the Moondance Diner?'" she said. "I loved it."

As Matthew well knows, the buzz over the famed New York diner-turned-LaBarge eatery hasn't diminished a bit, despite weather-related and other setbacks that have delayed the planned June opening of the Moondance until later this summer.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is the latest to offer his best wishes for the future success of LaBarge's newest, and only, restaurant.

"Congratulations on a truly Herculean effort," Bloomberg wrote recently to the Pierces. "I like to think of the Moondance … as a kind of bridge from New York City to the great state of Wyoming."

The reconstruction and renovations are moving along, albeit not quite as fast as hoped for, Cheryl Pierce said in a phone interview last week.

"We're still plugging away (at the renovation), and it's been awfully exciting … People are still stopping by from all over to see how things are going," she said.

"It's starting to take shape, and now that we've got the commercial kitchen connected, we'll be able to finish connecting the top part of the roof and to get all the exterior portions done and then start in on the interior," Pierce said. "We're saying now we're definitely going to open before September."

"We're trying our hardest, and (the delay) has nothing to do with the actual construction, which has gone very smoothly … The weather has played a little bit of a role, though," she said.

Worth the wait

For nearly a century, the Moondance Diner served hungry New Yorkers burgers, shakes and homemade fries as it sat near the Holland Tunnel entrance in the fashionable SoHo District in Lower Manhattan.

The eatery gained national prominence over the years and was featured in films such as "Spider-Man" and in numerous TV episodes.

The 36- by 15-foot diner featured the sleek, streamlined design of the 1920s era, sporting chrome detailing, barrel-shaped ceilings and wrap-around stainless steel windows.

The diner became a victim of modern times, however, and was scheduled for demolition in 2007 to make room for condominiums. The diner's owner donated the Moondance to the American Diner Museum, which listed the diner for sale on its Web site.

The Pierces had been looking for a restaurant investment when they spotted the diner and bought it for $7,500.

Vince, who drives trucks for southwest Wyoming's oil and gas industry, and father-in-law Kent Profit drove to New York City last summer and trucked the diner back to LaBarge.

The diner's rescue and weeklong, 2,400-mile trek to Wyoming through nine states caught the interest of New York media and sparked excitement among Wyoming residents. The diner's move and late August arrival in LaBarge was the subject of daily news, TV and radio reports.

The diner - in pretty poor shape when it arrived - got even worse when a heavy January snowstorm collapsed the roof and part of the walls. The couple was able to locate a copy of the original Moondance Diner blueprints, which are being used to guide the reconstruction work.

The most recognizable feature was the diner's unique, revolving, crescent-shaped moon sign that has been lovingly restored by hand by Vince.

"We're just about to the point of getting the motor for the moon, which rotates inside the ring" located on top of the diner's sign, she said.

The new menu remains under wraps until opening day. The original diner seated about 34 people, with 10 stools and six tables. Plans call for some additional seating to also be installed.

One thing is for sure, Pierce said. The grand opening is going to be worth the wait.

"I tell you, we've hit some brick walls from all the way back in the beginning … from Manhattan 'til now it's just been one thing after another. But we keep trudging away at it, because I will open those doors," she said.

"It will be the greatest thing we've ever done."

Best wishes from the mayor

Here's a letter sent recently by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to Vince and Cheryl Pierce, the new owners of the famed Moondance Diner:

"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Pierce:

"Thank you for the t-shirt and stickers and congratulations on a truly Herculean effort! I like to think of the Moondance, a longtime downtown staple, as a kind of bridge from New York City to the great state of Wyoming. I'm sure the diner will be a great success in LaBarge, and will be as beloved out West as it was back here on the west side of Manhattan.

"On behalf of all New Yorkers, my best wishes for many years of good health and great happiness at the Moondance.

Sincerely,

Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor."

NewsTracker

Last we knew: Renovation began earlier this year on the new Moondance Diner in LaBarge after it was moved from New York City last summer.

The latest: Workers used a crane Thursday to lift the diner's commercial kitchen onto its new foundation.

What's next: The new owners hope to reopen the former New York City dining icon later this summer.

Southwest Wyoming bureau reporter Jeff Gearino can be reached at 307-875-5359 or at gearino@tribcsp.com.

* Last we knew: Renovation began earlier this year on the new Moondance Diner in LaBarge after it was moved from New York City last summer.

* The latest: Workers used a crane Thursday to lift the diner's commercial kitchen onto its new foundation.

* What's next: The new owners hope to reopen the former New York City dining icon later this summer.]]->

Here's a letter sent recently by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to Vince and Cheryl Pierce, the new owners of the famed Moondance Diner:

"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Pierce:

"Thank you for the t-shirt and stickers and congratulations on a truly Herculean effort! I like to think of the Moondance, a longtime downtown staple, as a kind of bridge from New York City to the great state of Wyoming. I'm sure the diner will be a great success in LaBarge, and will be as beloved out West as it was back here on the west side of Manhattan.

"On behalf of all New Yorkers, my best wishes for many years of good health and great happiness at the Moondance.

Sincerely,

Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor."]]->