ASTORIA – Neptune Diner, the iconic Greek-family owned diner, a staple in Astoria for over 60 years, is set to close its doors for good on Sunday, July 28, the Astoria Post reported on July 22.

Residents and long-time customers were preparing themselves for the closure since the news of the sale of the property was first reported, but it was still a shock to hear that Neptune in Astoria is closing this Sunday. Many planned to visit the location as soon as possible for one last meal at the iconic diner and to reminisce about the many times they enjoyed meals there.

“The popular diner… [located] at 31-05 Astoria Boulevard… became a beloved local institution,” Astoria Post reported, adding that “staff at the diner confirmed that it will close its doors on Sunday, July 28, to facilitate a large-scale residential building development.”

The original Neptune Diner opened in 1956 at a fraction of its current size and expanded to its well-known dimensions in 1966.

The owner since 1984, Peter Katsihtis, “was not immediately available for comment,” Astoria Post reported, noting that “Katsihtis has since opened two more Neptune diners, opening Neptune II on Classon Avenue in Brooklyn in 2012, and Neptune Diner on Bell Boulevard in Bayside in 2020.”

“Staff at the Astoria-based diner confirmed that both locations will remain open,” Astoria Post reported, adding that “however, the popular Astoria location, known for its 24-hour service, traditional diner fare, and Greek specialties, will close its doors Sunday after five years of persistent rumors about its future.”

“Rumors about Neptune’s closure began surfacing five years ago when the diner’s initial 35-year lease expired in August 2019,” Astoria Post reported, noting that “Katsihtis dismissed the rumors at the time, stating that he had a five-year lease extension at the site.”

“He also acknowledged that the sale of the property in October 2018 alongside two adjacent lots had contributed to rumors about the diner’s imminent closure,” Astoria Post reported, pointing out that “in 2022, Katsihtis said Neptune would ‘not yet’ be closing down after the City Council unanimously approved Astoria-based MDM Development’s plans to rezone a section of 31st Street where the diner was located.”

“The council voted 47-0 in favor of the rezoning plan, giving MDM Development the green light to construct three residential buildings on the east side of 31st Street,” Astoria Post reported, adding that “the three-building development includes 278 residential units, including 69 affordable housing units, and will also bring retail space and community facilities, according to plans approved by the City Council in January 2022.”

“The three buildings are slated to go up where Neptune Diner, Staples, and a nearby vacant lot are currently located,” Astoria Post reported, noting that representatives of MDM Development were not available for comment at press time.

“Neptune Diner has long served as a local Astoria landmark, with local residents previously stating that they visited the diner for family meals or to ‘close business deals,’” Astoria Post reported, adding that “its imminent closure is the latest in a series of closures that has seen New York’s diner scene shrink considerably in recent years.”

Among the diners that have closed since 2018 are the Shalimar Diner in Rego Park, Elmhurst’s Georgia Diner, which merged with Nevada Diner, Briarwood’s Flagship Diner, the Terrace Diner in Bay Terrace, Kane’s Diner in Flushing, and “Mike’s Diner, an Astoria institution that served the neighborhood for over 90 years, permanently closed in 2022,” Astoria Post reported.

“More recently, Bayside residents mourned the closure of the neighborhood staple the Bayside Diner, which closed down in April last year,” Astoria Post reported.