Shani and Jason Knight put out the Bat Signal to save their South Grand diner, GOTham & Eggs (3139 S. Grand), but ultimately, it wasn’t enough. The Knights announced on social media this past Saturday that the superhero-themed restaurant has closed its doors, effective immediately.
“To our beloved Gotham and Eggs family, we’re sad to share that after an incredible journey, Gotham and Eggs has closed its doors for good,” the Facebook post reads. “This decision wasn’t easy, but we are so proud of the community that came together here. We’ve shared many unforgettable moments with you.”
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The Knights opened GOTham & Eggs in August 2023 in the former South Grand breakfast institution City Diner, which had closed one year earlier. The prior spot was a regular haunt for the husband-and-wife duo, whose superhero fandom (especially Jason’s) was matched only by their love of going out to breakfast. Their dream was to share those passions with the neighborhood by providing a community gathering place that would be an heir to the legacy of its previous occupant, which held court in the storefront from 1992–2022.
GOTham & Eggs quickly developed a following for its delicious diner fare; the restaurant’s riff on the slinger (pictured at right), made with Shani’s vegan chili, was a fan favorite. Jason’s extensive superhero memorabilia collection also gave the place a fun, kitschy feel.
The community’s reception was not enough for the Knights to weather a series of hardships, however, that stemmed from unexpected maintenance issues, including stripping and rewaxing floors, plumbing issues, multiple repairs to a walk-in freezer, and other building-related issues. Two break-ins added to their woes, prompting the Knights to launch a GoFundMe campaign in July; the Knights fell significantly short of their funding goal, raising just $4,000 of the $40,000 needed to remain open. In the campaign, the pair noted that they were out of options, having maxed out savings and credit capabilities. Unable to find other funding sources, the duo had no choice but to turn out the lights.
“Thank you for being part of our adventure,” the Knights signed off in their Facebook post. “Your support has meant the world to us, and we’ll never forget the memories we’ve created together.”
Reached via telephone, Shani told SLM that “The GoFundMe did generate a little money and did help bring more people in, but unfortunately we weren’t in a position to hire more staff or even buy more food, so service suffered, which translated to poor reviews. GoFundMe became a double-edged sword.”
She adds that her only regret was not asking for help sooner. “Thinking ‘this will do it’ and ‘that will do it,’ we waited too long to do something substantial,” she says. “We didn’t run the business poorly and we knew that we weren’t alone, but when you see things going downhill, you have to develop a plan and do something, fast.”
