Patrons rally behind Worcester diner as it faces cease-and-desist letter

WORCESTER — People in Worcester are rallying behind a diner known for its biker-friendly atmosphere after Harley Davidson sent them a cease-and-desist letter.

The letter demands Miss Worcester Diner remove its hand-painted Harley Davidson mural on the grounds of copyright infringement.

Kim Kniskern, who owns the diner, had a painting made about three years ago as a nod to her love of biking. She said now she’s devastated that Harley Davidson wants to take it down.

“I’m like, ‘Oh, what’s this from?’ I’m all excited. I thought it was something good,” said Kniskern, who is a biker who loves bikes.

“I was like, 'I can’t believe this is happening because I’m not profiting off it, you know?” she said.

Kniskern said she’s not backing down without a fight, and the community agrees. An online petition, which is asking Harley Davidson to just let it go, already has over 2,000 signatures.

“That’s what I’m hoping for, a good outcome, you know, because I don’t want to take it down,” Kniskern said. “I love the mural – I love it – it’s a beautiful tribute to something we love.”

Her diner, which draws bikers from across the state, is known for its homemade omelets, hot coffee and “the best french toast,” said customer Paul Beland.

“The food is unbelievable,” Beland said.

Boston 25 News reached out to Harley Davidson but has not heard back for comment.

Correction: Feb. 5, 2020 - An earlier version of this article misstated the name of a customer. He is Paul Beland, not Pete Beland

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