Roadside Wire
Fallen Empire? Diner looks for new lease on 10th Ave.
- Published on Friday, 06 November 2009 00:44
New York, New York — Chelsea’s iconic Empire Diner, the silver railcar-style restaurant that has stood at the corner of W. 22nd St. and 10th Ave. since 1976, may stop serving up its trademark, round-the-clock grub if the current owner can’t negotiate a new lease.
A picturesque place to grab an early breakfast (or a late-night snack after hitting the clubs), the Empire has become a neighborhood mainstay featured in countless films, television shows and in the opening credits of “Saturday Night Live.”
With its lease expiring on Dec. 31, the current owners may still be able to ink a new lease — or the space will likely go to a new tenant.
“We are still negotiating with the landlord,” said Empire owner Renata Gonzalez, who would not elaborate on the ongoing discussions, but said she was “very hopeful” a deal would be struck. “Hopefully you’ll see us here for many more years.”
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