Homemade pies and small-town charm

ATTICA — The Village of Attica sits at the crossroads of US-224 and SR-4, two of the busiest roads in this part of Seneca County. Nestled within that intersection is what has come to be known as a local staple, Simple Life Diner. The sign out front boldly states they are proud to serve freshly homemade pies, either by the slice or by the order. The restaurant itself is lined with vintage license plates, model cars collected by one of the owners over the years, and even a mural along the wall of a car, as well as other roadtrip-themed decor. For many regulars, stopping here is as much a part of their routine as is the sunrise or sunset. But for owners Jerry and Marcia Schreiner, it is a labor of love that runs on coffee refills and conversations. Previous ownership Simple Life's story stretches back to 1996, when former owners Ken and Peg Carrick turned a dream into a reality. They started in Bloomville before expanding to the current Attica location, serving customers for 25 years. Over the years, many customers felt more like extended family than patrons, and the Carricks credited a loyal staff for helping keep the doors open through everything from long hours to the challenges of the pandemic. In 2022, the Carricks decided it was time for a change and sold the business to the Schreiners. Simple Life Diner "It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment, golden opportunity type deal," Marcia said regarding their purchase. She still remembers the moment her husband had shared the idea. "Jerry had approached me and said, 'Hey, I want to buy a restaurant.' I said, 'Okay… where?' and he said he didn't know yet," she recalled with a laugh. "Later on, he came back and said the old Backroads Diner was up for sale and asked if I wanted to buy it. I told him, 'It's up to you.' And that's how it started." With decades of food service between them, Jerry in the kitchen and Marcia out front, they have settled into a rhythm familiar to that of other small-town restaurants. For Marcia, this means greeting their customers by name, remembering regular orders, and sometimes pulling double duty if somebody calls off work. "It's just You and Me buddy," Marcia jokingly told Jerry one recent day when a dishwasher had called in sick. "Like who's going to put on the extra hat today, you know." They say the things have been going steadily. "I would say we have a fairly loyal customer base," said Marcia. Challenges The couple's investment hasn't been without its challenges. Repairs are a regular part of the job, with Jerry sometimes wielding a torch to thaw a stubborn cooler as one example. But in a town of less than 1,000 people, they say the payoff isn't just in the till. When asked what advice Marcia would give to someone opening a diner in a place like Attica, she shared it is worth giving a shot. "It's a good opportunity," Marcia said. "But the first two or three years, you're not going to make anything. Still, it's worth it." For her, the value comes from the people — the regular who always sits in the same seat, the couple who never misses Friday lunch, and the friendly nods from neighbors who keep Simple Life, well, simple.