It will be closing its doors later this month. Eyewitness News wanted to give it some love, as this spot has meant so much to so many.<\/p>\n
There’s something about a neighborhood diner, the smell of fries, the ringing of the bell, a menu with just about everything, and the feeling that someone is genuinely glad you walked through the door.<\/p>\n
“When somebody walks into that front door, I tell my staff, greet them,” said John Stratidis, owner of Cozy Soup ‘n’ Burger. “In Greek, we say ‘kalimera,’ good morning, how are you? That actually makes a difference in people’s lives.”<\/p>\n
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For more than 50 years, the diner has been all of that and more; a place where late nights turn into memories, where breakfast meets you when you need it most, and where New Yorkers gather and linger.<\/p>\n
“If you haven’t experienced the famous Cozy Soup ‘n’ Burger yet, you’re missing out,” Stratidis said. “Let’s go.”<\/p>\n
The diner was built by his father, a Greek immigrant, and his uncle.<\/p>\n
“From a young age, I wanted to work and help my father,” Stratidis said. “He never told me to come in, but I knew what I was meant to do. They put in a lot of hard work, trust and faith, and created one of the top diners in New York City.”<\/p>\n
Over two generations, the corner spot became a second home for many.<\/p>\n
You meet so many beautiful people doing this, and it touches your life the same way you touch theirs.<\/p>\n
“You meet so many beautiful people doing this, and it touches your life the same way you touch theirs,” he said.<\/p>\n
It has also drawn some familiar faces over the years.<\/p>\n
“Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Ryan Reynolds, Adam Sandler,” Stratidis said. “We’re filming ‘Dexter: Resurrection’ in here. Michael C. Hall told me, ‘John, do you know how many times I ate in your diner before I became famous?'”<\/p>\n
But for Stratidis, it has always been about the everyday customer.<\/p>\n
“When somebody’s having a bad day, I care,” he said. “I have a full conversation, ‘Are you OK?'”<\/p>\n
That connection is part of what makes this closing so difficult.<\/p>\n
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“In New York City, there are a lot of factors that make diners no longer affordable,” Stratidis said. “Even though we’re struggling, we never cut corners. Could I serve lower quality? Probably. But you start high, you finish high. We’re known for our quality and our quantity. Until the day we close, we’ll keep giving 100%.”<\/p>\n
But you start high, you finish high. We’re known for our quality and our quantity. Until the day we close, we’ll keep giving 100%.<\/p>\n
“That’s something to be proud of,” Eyewitness News entertainment reporter Joelle Garguilo said.<\/p>\n
“Thank you,” Stratidis said.<\/p>\n
After decades in business, there are still no shortcuts, even at the end.<\/p>\n
“What are you going to miss?” Garguilo asked.<\/p>\n
Thank you to the families who supported us, to the people who made a difference. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for creating these memories. They’ll live on forever.<\/p>\n
“My customers,” Stratidis said. “I love you. Thank you to the families who supported us, to the people who made a difference. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for creating these memories. They’ll live on forever.”<\/p>\n
“I walked in and we said we weren’t going to cry,” Garguilo said.<\/p>\n
“I know,” Stratidis said. “We probably look terrible crying. But we fought, and we did what we had to do.”<\/p>\n
“You’ve fed New York City, a multigenerational business,” Garguilo said.<\/p>\n
“We eat soup and burger, New York,” Stratidis said. “You know?”<\/p>\n
———-<\/p>\n
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