A year after the death of owner Blanche Masters, Blanche's Diner closed its doors. A staple of Sullivan County, the diner is open once again but with a different feel. Our Eva McKend met with the owner of Janet Planet's Kozmic Kitchen in Mongaup Valley.

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MONGAUP VALLEY, N.Y. -- One year after the death of longtime owner Blanche Masters, Blanche's Diner, closed its doors.

Tattoo artist and Bethel resident Janet Wilgus has reopened the diner as Janet Planet's Kozmic Kitchen. She says the now cosmic theme diner is a testament to her belief that everyone should reach beyond the things right in front of them.

"We just put some new makeup on an old broad that needed a sprucing up. We want to present food in a new format. My executive chef and I being very good friends had discussed a lot about food and presentation and how Sullivan County could really use a good eatery," said Wilgus.

"We didn’t want to step on anybody’s toes by forgetting what was here before us…we tried to stay true to the food that was served here and the food in the area but tried to bring it our spin," said Executive Chef Nancy Dos Santos.

For Wilgus, it’s all about creating new traditions. She’s already got customers coming back for the Cosmic Burgers.

Blanche's was a landmark on route 17B in Mongaup Valley for more than two decades. Locals are happy to have the meeting place reinstated in their community.

"It looks like it’s keeping the old traditions and you see the same faces that you saw 20 years ago, so that’s a good sign," said White Lake resident Ethan Wasserman. Wasserman grew up in Blanche's and now brings his two daughters to Janet Planet's.

"I think Blanche would get a kick out of it. She might not quite get it but I think she would like it," added Thompson resident and deputy supervisor Richard Sush.