HATFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — After 53 years of serving generations of customers in Montgomery County, Zoto’s Family Restaurant along Route 309 in Line Lexington is preparing to close its doors permanently on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
The longtime family-owned diner, located at 1100 Bethlehem Pike, has been a familiar destination for breakfast, lunch and dinner since opening in 1973.
The closure comes as plans move forward to redevelop the property into a new Sheetz convenience store and gas station, a project that would require demolition of the existing restaurant building.
More Than Five Decades of History
Zoto’s was established in 1973 by brothers Steve and Nick Zoto. The original diner was manufactured in New Jersey by the Fodero Dining Car Company before being transported to Pennsylvania in six separate sections.
During the late 1980s, the restaurant underwent an expansion that included additional dining and banquet space, increasing its seating capacity from approximately 150 to 250 customers.
Over the decades, Zoto’s became a well-known gathering place for local residents, families and travelers along the Route 309 corridor.
For many customers, the restaurant has been part of the community for generations.
Plans Call for Demolition and New Sheetz
The restaurant’s closing comes amid a proposed redevelopment of the approximately 4.2-acre property.
During a September 9 Hatfield Township commissioners meeting, representatives outlined plans to demolish the existing diner and construct a new Sheetz convenience store and gas station.
The proposed development includes a roughly 6,139-square-foot convenience store, fuel pumps and approximately 49 parking spaces.
Plans also include improvements to vehicle access, a proposed right-turn lane, stormwater management upgrades and the removal of portions of existing pavement.
The proposal has been moving through the township’s development review process. Final approvals and a construction timeline have not been independently confirmed.
A Familiar Landmark Prepares to Say Goodbye
With its final day scheduled for October 25, the restaurant’s closure will mark the end of a 53-year chapter in the area’s restaurant history.
Zoto’s has served generations of customers, from families stopping in for breakfast to longtime regulars who have made the diner part of their routines.
The restaurant is scheduled to close permanently following its final day of business.
An official explanation from the owners regarding the closing date has not yet been independently confirmed.
First Source News will continue following the closure and proposed redevelopment of the property as additional information becomes available.
