Lou’s Diner to reopen in Perry at old Maid-Rite location

Lou’s Diner, a Woodward favorite for 13 years under the ownership of Lou Wacker of Perry, is set to reopen in Perry July 12 at the site of the former Maid-Rite restaurant at 2720 Willis Ave.

Lou’s daughters, Cherie Schuttler of Perry and Cindy Grimsley of Adel, will own and operate the new Lou’s, retaining the name of the Woodward eatery in honor of their mother, who will be found making pies and desserts at the new outlet.

“I’ll still be around,” Lou said Sunday as various friends and family members worked around the store, including Lou’s grandson, Andy Schuttler, 8, of Perry, who took on the delicate decorating task of arranging the several hundred chickens — many made of porcelain and other materials — Lou has collected over the years.

“People knew I collected chickens,” she said, “and they brought me a lot of them over the years. Most of these were gifts.” The shelves above the windows are flocks unto themselves, and much more porcelain poultry awaits Andy’s deft placement.

Cherie Schuttler said the new Lou’s Diner will serve many of the favorite dishes enjoyed in the previous location. She smiled when asked whether the new menu would include Lou’s famous pancake, suitable for feeding a family of four.

“We might even serve loose-meat sandwiches now and then,” Lou said with a similar smile. Loose-meat sandwiches, by whatever name, were a staple at the old Maid-Rite store, which closed nearly 10 years ago, leaving Perry’s eastern reaches without a restaurant.

Bob Wilson, executive director of the Perry-Area Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the new Perry restaurant warmly.

“Perry has a number of great amenities but always has room for more,” Wilson said. “It’s great to see a new business coming into an older building and bringing it back to life. Lots of great meals were served there when it was the Maid-Rite, and I’m sure that tradition will continue with Lou’s. We are happy to welcome them to Perry.”

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