Coffee Shop to Take over Chelsea Landmark, Empire Diner

Chelsea Now brings the sad news that yes, indeed, the Empire Diner will be leaving its spot in Chelsea, as suspected when it first went on the market last month. The group behind sceney Union Square restaurant Coffee Shop is taking over the space and will reopen it with a new menu and new name but the same look:

"...the restaurant will essentially stay in 'pretty much the same form that it is now,' except with a 'Coffee Shop flavor,' Benitez said. The diner will continue to serve food around the clock, and the menu will get some 'classic American' tweaking..."

The current owners and management team, who have been there for over 30 years, insist the deal hasn't been finalized yet and are trying to hold onto the space. If all goes forward as the landlord and Team Coffee Shop plan, they'll take over the space on December 31.
· Fallen Empire: New tenant found for 10th Ave. diner [Chelsea Now]
· Empire Diner, a Chelsea Icon, For Lease [~ENY~]