Iconic El Greco Diner In Sheepshead Bay To Close Friday
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - After 40 years, a Brooklyn culinary favorite will close its doors for good.
As 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported, the Venetoklis family will close Sheepshead Bay's El Greco Diner.
The family was offered a stagger $13 million to sell the establishment and found the offer too good to refuse.
It's an emotional time not only for customers, but staff as well.
"I don't want to believe it, but it's reality. Thank you for the memories," waitress Belinda said.
Martha has been a manager at the diner for 15 years.
"We grew up here, we had so many things happen to us here. I think we're all going to cry, people taking it hard," she said.
The restaurant at 1821 Emmons Avenue has been in the family for decades.
Venetoklis was three years old when his father built and opened the diner 40 years ago. He and his brother have been running the business for more than 20 years.
"This decision took us quite some time to enter and quite frankly we're still digesting it," Venetoklis said. "I mean, it was my whole life."
Venetoklis said sharing the news with friends and customers has been very emotional.
"It's difficult for all of us, but at the same time it's bittersweet because we're leaving on our own terms and we're happy with the deal that we made," Venetoklis said. "We wish the best to the community, they've been wonderful."
Venetoklis said he still hasn't figured out what he'll do once the restaurant closes.
"I'm an attorney, my brother is an aerospace engineer, we may go back to our respective careers prior to the restaurant, we may open up another place, but there's nothing current right now," he said.
You Might Also Be Interested In: