For owner Betty Gioulis, who opened Star on 18 in Chelsea nearly 25 years ago, saying goodbye to longtime patrons was an emotional experience.
“I’m feeling very sad, for leaving all these beautiful people,” Gioulis said. “As you can see today, everybody’s here — beautiful customers, the neighborhood. But everything sometimes has to end.”
What You Need To Know
The Chelsea diner, Star On 18, closed Sunday night after nearly 25 years in business
The diner’s landlord sold the property, leading to closure of the popular diner, which is one of the last standaone prefab diners in Manhattan
Some devastated customers fear gentrification is leading to the closure of many small businesses that brings charm and character to the city
Located at the corner of West 18th Street and 10th Avenue, Star on 18 was one of the last standalone prefab diners in Manhattan without a building constructed above it.
The diner is closing after the property’s landlord sold the site to developers. It is not yet clear what will replace the restaurant.
Gioulis said the diner became much more than a business during its nearly quarter-century run, serving as a gathering place for residents and workers from early morning through the evening.
“Remember me the way that I remember them,” she said of her customers. “I love them a lot. They’re my family.”
Many of those customers spent the diner’s final day reflecting on what they see as the loss of a neighborhood institution and another example of New York City’s changing landscape.
Jaki Soreff, of Chelsea, believes it is also losing some of its character and old school charm.
“I call it desecrating the neighborhood. It’s ruining the history,” said Soreff. “It’s ruining the feeling of community, of family, of what we love.”
It remains unclear what type of structure will replace the diner. Star on 18 opened in 2002, replacing the Corfu Diner, which had operated at the location since at least the 1970s.
Several loyal customers believe the the loss of Star on 18 will be felt in Chelsea long after its final order has been taken.
“Diners themselves are a dying breed,” said Alexandra Charitan, of Washington Heights. “I feel like they’re as essential to New York as the subway. They’re kind of the beating heart of New York. They’re a place where you can be yourself, where they welcome everybody.”
Others pointed to broader concerns about development and rising costs reshaping neighborhoods across the city.
“It’s community,” said Celines Miranda, of Chelsea. “This neighborhood is changing drastically at such a rapid pace because of gentrification. Change can be good, but not always. They’re taking out, taking away something from us, something that’s special.”
Despite the closure, Gioulis said she is not ready to leave the diner business behind.
She hopes to open another old-school diner in the coming weeks, possibly in Queens, and said all seven employees from Star on 18 would be offered jobs at the new location.
“I’m looking for another diner because I love diners,” Gioulis said. “But also, I don’t want to go to a regular building diner. I’m looking for something old and very traditional.”
Goiulis says when she’s ready to make the announcement, it will be posted on social media.