9er's Diner serves up hometown food with a home-style flair

BRUNSWICK — Just after surviving a car driving through the restaurant's front window, 9er's Diner faced another even greater challenge — the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon after opening its doors in 2018, 9er's Diner became a Brunswick breakfast staple. However, COVID-19 has immobilized the diner's most loyal customers, the seniors of Brunswick, which led to business being down, according to Ed Neiner, 9er's Diner owner. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the diner has been in the process of reinventing itself in a post-COVID world. Some of these changes include adding online ordering, curbside pick-up and soon 9er's Diner will be delivering food all across Brunswick. Neiner said he always has set out to maintain a "family oriented" atmosphere and foster good relationships with the residents of Brunswick. Soon after he established his restaurant in Brunswick, Neiner fell in love with the "good community." "I enjoy it, talking to people and giving them a good experience," he said. "When you love doing something, it's rewarding in itself." It was this love that motivated Neiner to do "as much as we can" for the Brunswick community with fundraisers. One of these fundraisers included the diner selling corned beef sandwiches and donating 20 percent of the profits to Brunswick Hills police. "We gotta do the best we can," said Neiner. "Everyone working together is the best way to do that." When COVID-19 winds down, 9er's Diner wants to be ready for its customer base to return. Future plans for the restaurant include a granite buffet table for all-you-can-eat buffets and the addition of a dinner menu which he hopes will include his favorite meal: beef brisket. However, that's not the only thing Neiner has taken from his personal life into the restaurant. Many of the food items on the diner's menu are named after family members. As a self-described "family oriented" man, Neiner has hired many of his family members to work alongside him at the restaurant. For Neiner, the Brunswick community is an extension of his family, which is why he aims to create a safe and clean experience at 9er's Diner. Neiner says the one good thing to come out of COVID-19 was to see "everyone sticking together, shopping local and staying in the community," and extended an invitation, saying "if you ever want a great meal and great experience come down to 9er's Diner in Brunswick and check us out." Matthew Kovach, a junior at Medina County Career Center, is one of over fifty student "backpack journalists" (grades 6-12) in the award-winning BEAT Video Program.