Junior's Cheesecake Selling Flagship Building In Downtown Brooklyn
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Junior's Cheesecake may soon serve its last slice at its iconic location in downtown Brooklyn.
The building at Flatbush Avenue Extension and DeKalb Avenue is for sale. And while the owner of the famed diner and desert spot insists Junior's will return there, customers fear losing it for good.
"I think it's sad. You're losing a little bit of history," Krista Benitez said.
"It's been a staple to our family for many, many years," said Carlos Santana, who loves Junior's cheesecake so much that he carries a photo on his phone of the slice he shared with his wife on their anniversary.
Al Rosen, the building and restaurant's third-generation owner, told CBS 2's Scott Rapoport that if the building is sold to a condo developer, Junior's would leave temporarily, open another location and then eventually return as a tenant once construction is completed.
"In the last couple of months, it's gotten fast and furious, and we decided to hire a professional to analyze the situation for us and to make a deal for the property because there's needs for housing and there's needs for retail but we fully intend on staying in the space," Rosen told 1010 WINS.
"Every developer I've spoken to has said we bring value to the space, we drive traffic to the neighborhood, and we're an icon in Brooklyn," he added. "Why wouldn't they want us?"
As of right now, Rosen said he is not even close to a deal, Rapoport reported.
"It's not sold. We're not closing. We will be in Brooklyn for another 63 years, I guarantee it," Rosen told WCBS 880's Jim Smith. "Cheesecake panic needs to calm down. It's like everyone's at DEFCON 4. We need to get back to DEFCON 1."
The original Brooklyn location opened in 1950.
Still, cheesecake lovers got nostalgic just hearing about a possible sale.
"Heaven no, Junior's can't go!" one fan of the landmark told Smith.
"I remember going as a little girl and getting a hamburger and dessert and everything else for less than $10," another woman said.
Junior's also has locations in Times Square, Grand Central Terminal, the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, Tokyo and Osaka, Japan.
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