Sussex diner vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti

WANTAGE – Spray-painted swastikas and phrases including “Kill Jews,” “Heil Hitler,” and “WPWW,” an acronym for white power world wide, covered the exterior of the Airport Diner on Sunday. 

Owner of the County Road 639 eatery near Route 23, Francisco “Frankie” Blanco and an employee found the graffiti upon arrival at 7 a.m., said the diner's manager Robin Nargiso.

An outdoor storage cooler behind the diner was reported broken into and perishable food items thrown outside the cooler and left to spoil, Nargiso said.

“We’re not sure who did it and why. Just about everyone who comes in here are regulars. We all know each other and know the area,” Nargiso said. “But we stayed open through it all. And people stopped by all day to see what they can do to help.”

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th District, condemned the acts Sunday, adding he reached out to Blanco, Wantage Mayor Jon Morris, and local law enforcement to express his support.

“I was shocked and horrified to learn about the anti-Semitic, white supremacist graffiti left on the Airport Diner in Wantage," he wrote. "Hate and intolerance have no place in our community and country, a nation founded on the core value that all religious and ethnic backgrounds are welcomed,” Gottheimer said via a release. “I am confident that our top-notch New Jersey state law enforcement officials will bring the cowards responsible to justice.”

New Jersey State Police Sgt. Jeff Flynn said the investigation was ongoing Monday.

The diner remained open to customers during normal hours Sunday, even as people worked to paint the building.

Employees, family members, neighbors, and some customers contributed to the cleanup effort Sunday. Paint was donated from local businesses, including the Airport Diner’s neighbor, Sussex Skydive.

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By the time the Airport Diner opened Monday morning, the graffiti had been scrubbed away or masked by a fresh coat of paint.

A Go Fund Me page was set up by regular diner customer Ashley Craig, who Nargiso said wanted to help defray the costs of necessary renovations and lost inventory.

“As soon as she heard about what happened, she reached out,” Nargiso said. “So a big, big thank you to her, Sussex Skydive, and everyone who has helped.”

A fundraising goal of $1,500 was exceeded by Monday morning, passing $2,000 by 1 p.m. Some customers wanted to contribute to the fund while eating at the diner, so Nargiso collecting donations behind the counter in a coffee cup.

Nargiso said the diner was busier than normal Monday morning, and she was grateful for the community support.

“We really appreciate all the kind words, the phone calls, the offers of help. It’s really nice,” Nargiso said. “To see the hate that was here, and have people reach out to support us, it’s amazing. It truly is. A lot of great people and businesses offered to help. This community is really caring, and we thank them.”

Anyone with information on the matter is asked to contact the State Police Sussex barracks at 973-383-1515.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com