WILTON — The owner of the Farmington Diner said she is not giving up her goal of reopening the business, and she’s asking for input from the public. 

“I haven’t given up. I’m not ready to give up. My creativity is kicking in,” Rachel Jackson Hodsdon said. “I don’t have to be rich, but it needs to make money. I can’t come up with cash every year.”

Three years ago she saved the diner from demolition by moving it 4½ miles down Routes 2 and 4 to Cemetery Road in East Wilton where she owns property.

The biggest decision, she said Friday, is whether to open it where it sits or move it back to Farmington. She also needs to decide whether to use it as a restaurant serving local food or for some other community purpose. Either way it has to make enough money to sustain it.

Recently she submitted letters to the editors of local media, explaining some of what she’s facing and asking the public whether they want the diner fixed up and reopened, whether they would patronize it where it is, and how it could be used to strengthen the community.

The response has mostly been positive, she said Friday. Some wanted to see it return to Farmington, several suggested placing it at the Farmington Fairgrounds to operate during the fair and other events there. She said she intends to check that out.

Some suggested it was time for the diner to become a memory.

She said if she moves it to Farmington, cost for land and construction are high, which could mean higher menu prices, she said.

The Colonial Valley Motel on Wilton Road in Farmington is up for sale, and the diner would make a nice addition to the five-acre lot, she said, but the asking price for the motel is $874,000.

People may send their ideas to [email protected] or phone to 418-0086 or send mail to 58 Morrison Hill Road, Wilton, ME 04294.

[email protected]