Courtesy of Stage Left Diner
Stage Left Diner just took its final bow.
It was announced today that the diner, located next to The Fabulous Fox Theatre in Midtown, has closed permanently as of Monday, July 31. Brad Beracha and owner Steve Smith rebranded the former City Diner and reopened last September as Stage Left Diner, due to its stage left location from the Fox. The duo revamped the space and the menu, which offered breakfast skillets, sweet and savory crepes, smash burgers, fried green tomatoes, and more.
“The challenges to grow the Stage Left Diner brand were too difficult to overcome, and the decision to close was made so that our focus could shift to our other restaurants,” said Smith in a statement . “We would like to thank all of our past patrons as well. Their support is deeply appreciated.”
Beracha was more analytical. "In retrospect, the City Diner name carried more weight than either Steve or I thought," he said. "By improving the space and changing the name, we hoped to add to the diner's clientele. But in trying to add menu items that also appealed to show-goers, we lost some of that base. It was a challenge developing Stage Left as a brand."
He added that a having population density is important to restaurant growth in an area like Grand Center, that it's no longer enough to be event-driven and seasonal. "With the City Foundry, the Cortex, and the new hotel [Angad Arts Hotel], that's all happening," he said, "but it's taking time. Playing the waiting game is frustrating and sometimes it's tough to hang on."
At present, there are no plans as to how the space will now be used. "Since we don't own the building," Beracha said, "spending more money and taking a chance on another concept doesn't make sense right now. It's too soon for that."
