This Is Your Last Chance To Eat At NYC’s Nearly 80-Year-Old Famed Diner, Closing For Good Next Week

Nothing says classic New York like the image of a stack of pancakes and a cup of coffee spread in front of you at an old school diner as you catch up with friends or brush up on all the local gossip. But while NYC is home to many a diner, one Meatpacking District mainstay is sadly shuttering its doors for good this July. After a long 76 years in business, Hector’s Cafe and Diner will permanently close its doors next week on Friday, July 18th. The restaurant has sat at Little West 12th Street for nearly 80 years, though a Whitney Museum expansion and rental complex is pushing it out of the neighborhood. A sign posted on the door reads: > Thank you for your support over the years. It’s been a joy to serve you, and we’re proud of the memories we’ve created together. We’ll miss you and are truly grateful for each and every one of you. Owner Nick Kapelonis reportedly told *Eater* “the meatpackers decided to leave, and we agreed with them it was time to leave as well.” Kapelonis, of course, was referring to the meat merchants that have also left the neighborhood–though not before giving the Meatpacking District its name! He notes that the butchers were some of the diner’s most reliable customers, becoming “like family” over the years. And while Hector’s does currently have a lease until 2033, a historic agreement reached last year with the Economic Development Corp. decided that the last remaining meatpackers in the neighborhood would nix their leases and head out early to give way to 600 rental apartments, an expansion of the Whitney Museum, and new facilities for Friends of the High Line. NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ new vision for Gansevoort Square also includes an expansion of the High Line and the potential for a 600-foot tower filled with “super-luxury” apartments. Kapelonis, however, noted that the pandemic also played into the decision to shut down business early, which he and his family took over 45 years ago. He added that they haven’t ruled out eventually opening a new restaurant somewhere else. In the meantime, you still have the chance to dine at Hector’s Cafe and Diner for a no-frills meal one last time before it closes for good–and once it does you can catch a glimpse of it in several films and television shows, such as *Law & Order* and *Taxi Driver*. Of course once there, you’ll find all the traditional diner fare like omelets, wraps, [burgers](https://secretnyc.co/top-nyc-burgers-from-cheapest-to-most-expensive/), fries, [sandwiches](https://secretnyc.co/best-sandwiches-in-nyc/), and milkshakes. And don’t fret if you’re not a morning person–Hector’s proudly serves breakfast all day. 📍 44 Little W 12th St. Source: https://secretnyc.co/hectors-cafe-and-diner-closes-this-july/