Traverse City Diner Preserved in Country Song

JP’s Hard Luck Diner may have shuttered its doors more than a decade ago, with its founder passing away in 2022 and the building now serving as a real estate office in Traverse City. However, its rich history is being immortalized in an unconventional way through a newly released country song by renowned artist Ryan Hurd. The song, titled “JP’s Hard Luck Diner, Permanently Closed,” delves into the lore of the once-thriving eatery – a place Hurd confesses to never personally experiencing. Despite his success as a country songwriter, having penned chart-topping tracks for artists such as Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, and Tim McGraw, Hurd maintains a strong connection to his Michigan roots. Hailing from Kalamazoo, he pays homage to his home state in his latest album, Midwest Rock & Roll, which threads together wistful narratives of Michigan’s distinctive landscapes and intimate encounters.
Initially absent from the album’s original release in March, “JP’s Hard Luck Diner, Permanently Closed” gained traction during the development of the deluxe edition as Hurd found resonance in its Michigan-centric storyline. The inspiration for the song struck Hurd during a visit to Traverse City for a friend’s wedding in 2023 when he stumbled upon the now-defunct diner’s online listing. The irony of the eatery’s name, coupled with its permanent closure status, left a lasting impression on the artist, prompting him to craft a whimsical ode to the establishment.
“Penned in collaboration with fellow country singer-songwriter Carter Faith, the song breathes new life into the lore of JP’s Diner, reigniting fond memories shared by Traverse City locals past and present. Ellen Pellar, daughter of the diner’s namesake Joe Pellar, expressed a combination of laughter and tears upon listening to the song, finding solace in the bittersweet tribute to her late father. Dissecting the song’s lyrical depth, Ellen recounts her father’s indelible impact on Traverse City’s culinary landscape, from serving hearty breakfasts to forging lasting connections with patrons hailing from all walks of life.
For JP, or Joe Pellar, as he was known, culinary artistry transcended mere recipe books, his unparalleled batter for Friday fish fry nights standing as a testament to his unrivaled skill. Despite challenges stemming from a debilitating stroke in 2012, which impaired his ability to talk and walk, Pellar’s legacy endured through his daughter’s unwavering devotion to upholding his culinary heritage. The shuttering of JP’s Diner marked the end of an era in Traverse City’s dining repertoire, punctuating the demise of an iconic breakfast haven and the city’s last all-night diner.
With Hurd’s melodic homage to JP’s Hard Luck Diner, Traverse City denizens are afforded a poignant reminder of the eatery’s bygone glory days, reviving cherished memories from a chapter of the city’s culinary narrative. Reflecting on the overwhelming support for the song, Hurd contemplates a future performance at Cherry Fest, an opportunity to pay homage to Traverse City and its enduring legacy through music. In a harmonious blend of past and present, “JP’s Hard Luck Diner, Permanently Closed” stands as a heartfelt tribute to a lost culinary gem in Michigan’s northern landscape.