Roxy Luncheonette
VANISHING?
A few years ago I wandered into the Roxy Luncheonette down on John Street, between Broadway and Nassau, where I never wander. It's a lovely little gem that has survived since 1944. At the time I wrote, "It's got everything a luncheonette should have: chrome swivel stools, a quilted stainless steel backsplash, and good egg creams."
Now a reader writes in to say the Roxy is about to vanish.
"The construction down here is awful," says reader Frank, who lives in the neighborhood. Six different construction projects are happening all at once on John Street--including a new dorm and hotel. The local Downtown News calls it the "Hammers of Hell."
"It's been going on forever and the Roxy just won't make it," Frank writes. "I never see anyone in there. Who would want to go? It's so loud with all the jackhammering, and the streets are torn up something awful. The owner says he'll need to close in a few months in this video (at the 50-second mark)."
"How long do you think you can stay in business with this going on," the reporter asks the Roxy's owner, referring to the construction nightmare.
"Couple more months," says the owner, who has been at the Roxy for 36 of its 68 years. "Maybe a few more months."
"I hope you're wrong," the reporter replies.
The owner shakes his head, "No, I'm not."
Roxy blocked by a backhoe
A few years ago I wandered into the Roxy Luncheonette down on John Street, between Broadway and Nassau, where I never wander. It's a lovely little gem that has survived since 1944. At the time I wrote, "It's got everything a luncheonette should have: chrome swivel stools, a quilted stainless steel backsplash, and good egg creams."
Now a reader writes in to say the Roxy is about to vanish.
"The construction down here is awful," says reader Frank, who lives in the neighborhood. Six different construction projects are happening all at once on John Street--including a new dorm and hotel. The local Downtown News calls it the "Hammers of Hell."
"It's been going on forever and the Roxy just won't make it," Frank writes. "I never see anyone in there. Who would want to go? It's so loud with all the jackhammering, and the streets are torn up something awful. The owner says he'll need to close in a few months in this video (at the 50-second mark)."
"How long do you think you can stay in business with this going on," the reporter asks the Roxy's owner, referring to the construction nightmare.
"Couple more months," says the owner, who has been at the Roxy for 36 of its 68 years. "Maybe a few more months."
"I hope you're wrong," the reporter replies.
The owner shakes his head, "No, I'm not."
Roxy blocked by a backhoe
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