New York, NY – (December 30, 2016) – Marian Harper-Levine, President of Carnegie Deli and second-generation owner, issued the following statement this morning regarding the closure of the original location of the Carnegie Deli at 854 Seventh Avenue:
“Along with my daughter Sarri and in honor of my late father Milton, I would like to sincerely thank all of our loyal patrons, – tourists, dignitaries, and New Yorkers alike- who have visited Carnegie Deli over the past 80 years. Since my father took over the Deli in 1976, this has been a second home to me and it has been a true privilege and an honor to serve you. Although this has been an incredibly difficult decision to officially close Carnegie Deli New York (854 7th Avenue) tonight at midnight, we thank you for your letters, notes, visits and sharing your stories.
The Carnegie Deli looks forward to expanding wholesale and retail operations and welcoming you to the other licensed locations at Madison Square Garden, The Mirage in Las Vegas, NV, Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, PA and during the US Open Tennis Championships in Flushing, Queens.
Our family-owned and operated meat processing facility and bakery in New Jersey will continue Carnegie Deli’s celebrated legacy, by supplying the other locations and selling select products and merchandise directly to the public online at www.carnegiedeli.com.
Thank you again and we wish you all a very Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year!”
In a follow-up release, spokesperson Christyne Nicholas adds:
"Carnegie Deli is not for sale and the family is certainly not considering any publicity-inspired offers to buy the 7th Avenue location."
Simply to further the conversation, here's a different take on the sitchiation:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.urbanophile.com/2016/10/03/carnegie-deli-and-other-bad-new-york-restaurants/
Thanks for ALL you do Jeremiah.
Keep On Chooglin'!
Thanks Dr. B!
ReplyDeleteDrBOP - Dr. Moss has answered this critique numerous times over the years. Leave aside the Carnegie Del. These places are not failing the marketplace test. They are often full, and just as popular as ever. The problem is often that landlords don't even want to rent to them.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that every diner is bad is just silly. Compared to what, exactly? A MacDonalds or Subway, with which it will be replaced?
Try coming up to the upper west side, come to the Metro Diner on 100th St. Order an omelet. Have a piece of lemon meringue pie for desert. Or would you prefer something from Chipotle?
It has been reported in several places (while that does not always mean it's true) that there were several personal problems that ownership and those in charge had that destroyed Carnegie Deli. Whether the food was good or bad, there is no doubt that this place got more and more business throughout the years. It became a tourist must see. And they charged high prices. And they owned the building. So, this is not the typical small business, reportedly, this was not an issue of a business that was forced to fold because of real estate prices or gentrification or greedy landlords, or competition from evil corporations.
ReplyDeleteNot to be forgotten: The Four Seasons Restaurant in the Seagram Building. Another iconic dining experience shuttered for a future trendy scene. The interior is landmarked, but the furnishings were removed and sold off at auction. 57 years.
ReplyDeleteSusan
NY Daily News story that the closing of this booming business may be a ploy to get rid of the union employees before selling the business to a new owner who would then hire new employees, perhaps non-union. As I said 1/2/20, this is an unusual closing. http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/carnegie-deli-employees-demand-jobs-back-protest-article-1.2937912
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