ROCKFORD, Mich. — A piece of West Michigan history is on the move.
Crews removed the iconic "Rosie's Diner" sign from atop the diner car near Rockford Friday morning.
The diner was made famous by the Bounty paper towel commercials featuring Nancy Walker. She played Nancy the waitress who cleaned up spills with the "Quick Picker Upper" in the 70s and 80s.
The diner was built in 1946.
West Michigan resident Jerry Berta bought it and moved it from New Jersey to Rockford in 1991. He sold it to new owners in 2006.
"I didn't know how to run it but we hired good people. They made good money and, you know, they showed up. We did it. It was great," Berta told FOX 17. "To see Rosie's being restored by people who care...Oh, I'm thrilled."
The diner ultimately closed in 2011.
Berta tells FOX 17 the diner was recently sold and is expected to be moved from the current location on 14 Mile Road near Rockford.
"Compared to this when it was full of life...this place was just hoppin'! The tables were jammed pack. 98 people sat in here," Berta said.
Chuck and Dawn Perry, the new owners, say the diner cars are being moved to a town in Missouri in the coming weeks.
"It's going to be gutted down to bare bones, come back and restore it the way it was," Chuck Perry explained. "It's the biggest piece of history I've ever played with."
