The Diner on Clifton has been a fixture on the corner of West 117th Street and Clifton Boulevard for years, but now it is set to close next week.
Perry Drosos purchased the business nearly 30 years ago. Drosos said he has been operating without a lease for about 10 years. Now, a deadline of Feb. 29 has been set.
"I asked for more time," Drosos said.
The landlord said they are renovating the entire building and the diner can not stay open during the construction. "We've been talking since summer about the renovation so it is a surprise to me," said Peter Katsaros.
Drosos said he has been friends with the landlord's family for years. "They're good people, they wanted their space," Drosos added. "It's really a difficult situation."
Dorsos said he is in the process of buying a building two blocks away from his current location, but he said the new Diner on Clifton won't be up and running until at least July, putting his employees out of work at least temporarily.
