“We are very pleased to turn over management of the Collegiate to Alfred State. Their lease and operation of the restaurant will ensure that the restaurant stays on the village tax roll while simultaneously continuing the tradition of what the restaurant is known for, which is serving the community."
John Ninos
The restaurant industry is known for being fickle, but in Alfred, NY, the Collegiate Restaurant has just completed 100 years of operation. And its future is now secure with Alfred State College agreeing to manage the operation beginning in July.
In 1950, John E. Ninos took over the operation of the Collegiate until he sold it to his son John W. Ninos and his wife Chelly in 1996. They have continued the family business for generations of visitors to enjoy. The restaurant and its colorful outdoor patio are the focal point of Alfred’s downtown.
“Alfred is so grateful to the Ninos family for what they’ve built. It’s more than a longtime business, it is a must-visit destination in our region and appreciated by us all,” said Alfred State President Dr. Steve Mauro. “With the beautiful ASC campus adjacent, our oversight of the Collegiate creates many program synergies for Alfred State, which includes expansion of our Culinary Arts program and establishing internship and other learning opportunities for students in all our programs. Like our college farm, this will be a living laboratory for our students, all while we reinforce our commitment to serve our village community”
Students, faculty, parents, and alumni look forward to visiting the Collegiate. It’s a legendary community landmark and a living museum with fraternity paddles, student projects, and proud pictures of celebrations decking the walls.
For as long as anyone can remember at the Collegiate, you could find John and Chelly at the restaurant counter, while his brother Jim, now the village mayor, may be nearby in a booth holding a meeting. Alfred has the Ninos family to thank for more than 74 years of devoted service.
“We are very pleased to turn over management of the Collegiate to Alfred State,” said John Ninos, owner of the Collegiate. “Their lease and operation of the restaurant will ensure that the restaurant stays on the village tax roll while simultaneously continuing the tradition of what the restaurant is known for, which is serving the community. When we looked at all the offers that we received, Alfred State’s made the most sense. It was a win for all involved.”
The US Census counts 4,580 residents in the small Village of Alfred, but the population expands each year with another 4,000 college and university students who frequent the Collegiate. With students comprising such a high percentage of the local community, The Washington Post crowned Alfred “the collegiest” town in America, ranking Alfred the No. 1 Ultimate College Town.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the past 10 years the survival rate for accommodation and food service operations is only 38.2% so for the Collegiate to last past 100 years is beating all odds. It shows how the Ninos family has both respected traditions and embraced changes to serve today’s diners and keep the business strong.
George Kafadalis started the Collegiate in 1924. That’s only 16 years after the agriculture department at Alfred University was separated into the New York School of Agriculture. With that act in 1908, the state started what has become Alfred State College. With a new college in town, the diner was named the Collegiate to reflect how university and college students stand out in the village. The original restaurant burned in 2009 and has been at its current location ever since.
Through the decades, the restaurant has been lovingly nicknamed by its last syllable, The Jet. Generations of Alfred residents and visitors have come to enjoy the food and good company. Thanks to the new agreement with Alfred State, these joyous celebrations can now continue as The Jet rockets past 100 years of success.
