Michael at the Moondance
photo credit: Mike Dabin
With the Moondance, he said, “I was aware that freestanding diners were pre-assembled and manufactured to move, so I figured ‘why not pick it up & move it?’” He then convinced Extell Development to donate the Moondance to the American Diner Museum in exchange for a tax write-off, and the rest is history—the Moondance is now beloved in Wyoming and should be opening its doors in June.
Could the same happen for the Cheyenne? It can if George Papas (owner of the Skylight Diner and landlord of the Cheyenne property) donates the moveable structure to the American Diner Museum instead of demolishing it. So far, Papas is open to that possibility. As he told Urbanite, "I would really love for somebody to take that away and put it somewhere." Michael happily confirmed that Papas supports the move, provided the diner is structurally sound.
Ironically, Papas is reopening the defunct Market Diner nearby and the Cheyenne used to be one in a chain of Market Diners, as seen here:
photo: John Baeder
The Cheyenne is a nostalgic gem and well worth saving, Michael says, as “the last streamlined railway car-inspired diner in Mid-Manhattan. It was pre-assembled by Paramount in 1940 and retains a majority of its original/distinctive elements. The facade features vertical and horizontal stainless steel securing bowed colorful enamel panels, wrap-around windows, a curved entryway with glass block, and a reverse channel illuminated neon sign. It was recently granted first prize on NYC-Architecture.com’s Top 10 New York Diners/Restaurants.”
photo: Michael's flickr: Still a favorite spot for cabs
Michael hopes that the diner will not go as far as the Moondance did (hopefully not all the way to the real Cheyenne), but might find a place somewhere in the outer boroughs of the city where New Yorkers can continue to enjoy it.
photo: my flickr
Every New Yorker can be a preservationist. Michael recommends that we all survey our neighborhoods “for places that hold the greatest sentimental value, initiate character, and preserve our city's diverse architecture and culture." Filling out the LPC's Request for Evaluation form is quick and easy. It’s up to us to “advocate for landmarking before more cherished sites fall victim to the wrecking ball and the unidealistic real estate craze. Once a site is endangered, it is often too late.”
But don’t be discouraged, Michael writes, “A landmark is (ideally) in the eyes of the majority. I encourage the public to share their landmarking/preservation concerns with me, and especially let me know if a diner or another meaningful type of establishment is at risk, or on their preservation wishlist. My e-mail is always open: unlockthevault@hotmail.com.”
In addition, Michael asks, "Does anyone know of someone who is hoping to purchase a classic diner if the current tenant, Spiros Kasimis, can't afford the rigging and lot acquisition costs?" Drop him a line today if you're in the market to adopt this imperiled souvenir of the real New York.
Noble cause. Unfortunately, there's no such thing as the American Diner Museum. It exists as a tax-free front to flip diners. There is no building. No exhibits. No catalog. It's just a website with a non-profit status. Period.
ReplyDeleteNow, I'd be the first to say that we should do what we can to save diners, but just moving them out of the way is only the first of many, many arduous steps to saving one. The Moondance isn't yet open. It already suffered major damage from a snowstorm.
For more, see www.dinermuseum.com.
Yes, this is the one:
ReplyDeleteLunchbox
Just below "Christopher's End".
It looked abandoned but with the slick exterior intact. You can barely see it through the trees on Google Street View
NYC should be honoring the Michael Perlmans not the Bruce Ratners! Golden children, the Michaels want to preserve the true culture of NYC; the Bruces want to drain the culture for their greedy desires, not unlike the friendly vampire, glassy eyed and salivating, cruising your neck, and seductively whispering "More, more, more, more!" Appetites of the Bruces are never filled; it's in their nature.
ReplyDeleteThis is why it is so important to preserve what we still have. When these monuments and landmarks are destroyed, in place will be glass towers.
ReplyDeleteThe places with character will be on museum walls and only remembered through photographs. If people wouldn't be so greedy, we would be able to preserve not only the physical buildings, but the very soul of this city.
It's as if everyone is selling their soul and the soul of the city.
Thank you Jeremiah for a great interview, a superb posting, and wonderful publicity for my Committee To Save The Cheyenne Diner's cause! I also thank the bloggers for their compliments and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI am aware that the Lunchbox Diner is in jeopardy, and will try my best to investigate it & find a respectful owner. Thanks for pointing it out!
In response to Randy Garbin's posting, I have to remain neutral, but can say that Daniel Zilka has told me they're in a temporary space & planning to open a museum in larger quarters. Daniel also explained they maintain collections, and they do have a decent track record by accepting diner donations. When working with Extell Development, I persuaded them to donate the Moondance Diner to ADM, and the developers did receive a tax write-off. The mission was accomplished quite well in a physical manner, although I wish it would have remained closer to its NYC origins. The Moondance Diner suffered damage to its barrel roof due to a bitter WY winter, but thankfully no one was inside. It's slated to reopen in June.
It's a little treasure!
ReplyDeleteBy the Way,
ReplyDeleteIf it was not for the efforts of the American Diner Museum to assist in preserving diners & diner culture, the Moondance Diner at 6th Ave & Canal, Munson Diner 11th Ave & 49th St and the Victory Diner on Richmond Rd. Staten Island these NY Diners as well as 20 or so other diners around the country would no longer exist.
The true diner experience is not to mealy visit a static exhibit in a museum but to feel, see and hear and most of all eat in a operating historic diner.
The following comment by a poster is so true.
"The places with character will be on museum walls and only remembered through photographs."
The New Hope Diner Restoration Project.
A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE YOUTH WITHIN THE RHODE ISLAND DIVISION OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, NEW ENGLAND TECH, BRYANT UNIVERSITY, AMERICAN DINER MUSEUM, ANGELO'S CIVITA FARNESE & THE RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY TO RESTORE VINTAGE DINERS.
http://hickeysdinerrestoration.blogspot.com
Hey, this must be the same Michael Perlman with whom I've corresponded about trying to save the Ridgewood Theater. For some reason, I pictured a much older dude. You go, Michael!
ReplyDelete--"NewYorkDave"
Maybe some of you pundits can explain to me why the slumlord who owns the building I live in has hired a new super. This guy works as a real estate salesperson for the third largest commercial real estate company in the US. 100% occupied he tells me. He drives a BMW SUV that he parks under lock and key.
ReplyDeleteWhy does new super live in a dump like this? Half the time no hot water/no heat. roaches, mold, leaks
broken mailboxes, broken front door & psychopathological slumlord. hmmm that super gets along fine with.
Any feedback from you guys?
If it was not for the efforts of the American Diner Museum to assist in preserving diners & diner culture, the Moondance Diner at 6th Ave & Canal, Munson Diner 11th Ave & 49th St and the Victory Diner on Richmond Rd. Staten Island these NY Diners as well as 20 or so other diners around the country would no longer exist.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who spends just a small amount of time looking into the current state those 20 diners (and that's a highly dubious figure) will find most of them in a very sorry state of condition. Some are rotting in fields. Some are stalled in their restoration because the unsuspecting buyers were sung a very happy tune about how easy it is to go into the diner business. And at least one is rotting away on its site in Bourne, Massachusetts because the owner also hired Mr. Zilka to finish its restoration, who took the money, and then did nothing. Sued in small claims court, Mr. Zilka was ordered to return his $1500 fee plus interest.
Of the dozen or so diners that the "museum" has "saved," only two or three are currently operating, and their owners generally will have nothing to do with Mr. Zilka or his project. In fact, in he's personna non grata in an amazing number of diners these days. Why? Well, partially because important parts of the diners suddenly go missing when they arrive at their destinations. Tags, waitress stations, lights, booths get oddly omitted from the Purchase and Sale agreement or just mysteriously disappear. This is "saving" diners?
If Mr. Zilka offered his services strictly as a for-profit independent operator, the issue here would focus purely on his sorry reputation as a preservationist. But as the head of a "Federally recognized" non-profit, he gives the American taxpayer cause for great concern as well.
To any future diner buyers out there, don't drink the No Hope Diner Koolaid.