[2] In the early 1980s, Christopher Boyer, working for then owner and "master chef" Maria Prytula, a Ukrainian-born artist and poet (d. 2012)[3] They started renting the place out on weekend nights to present rock shows and theater.

[7]The owner Ron Copeland decided to attend graduate school, but he didn't want to see The Little Grill close as a result so friends encouraged him to investigate worker-owned cooperatives such as Cheese Board Collective in Berkeley, California.

[9] Ron and Melaine Copeland, who owned The Little Grill from 1992 to 2003 — before helping its employees convert it to a worker-owned collective[10] — have signed a lease on the building and intend to restart operations in 2023.

[1] To finance start-up, the returning owners are selling “personal grill accounts” for $1,000 each which can be used to purchase meals and leave tips once the diner reopens.

[2] Both owners are alumni of nearby James Madison University, Ron in 1990 and Melanie in 1992 and both view The Little Grill as an important second home to the JMU community.

[10] Little Grill offered entertainment from local writing, performing, musical, and comedic talents—through regular weekly open stage and special shows.

Every Thursday night they would present an open mic for poets, storytellers, comics, and musicians, including students from James Madison University.

Special shows include fundraisers for local organizations, dramatic works created by owner and open mic emcee Chris Howdyshell, and comedy.

[17] "The Girl Who Died Most Mysteriously", a play with original songs written by Little Grill worker/owner Chris Howdyshell, was performed October 2011—with his musical group The Dish Dogs backing "a local cast of non-actors.

[21] Musical acts that performed during the 2011 festival at Little Grill included: Low Branches, Bison, Wailin' Storms, Spirit Family Reunion, Auld Lang Syne, Luke Saunders, and Cat Magic Co.[22] The Daily News-Record[23] describes MACRoCk as an ... ... eclectic mix of bands brings thousands of independent music enthusiasts to downtown Harrisonburg every spring.

Festivalgoers cram into local venues to hear groups from throughout the East Coast jamming out tunes ranging from folk to garage metal and everything in between.