After serving the Queens community for close to 90 years, the iconic White Castle is closing its doors this Wednesday, marking the end of one of New York City’s oldest restaurants.
Situated on 57th Avenue in Elmhurst, this fast-food landmark, which has been in operation since 1939, has been sold and is expected to be converted into an apartment complex, as revealed by restaurant manager Elsa Lima to the Queens Chronicle.
A banner hanging on the building read, “This location is closed. It was our pleasure to serve you,” encouraging customers to visit the closest outlets in Brooklyn and Sunnyside.
By Tuesday night, the dining area had nearly emptied out, leaving only a large soda machine and various kitchen appliances amidst the vacant space.
White Castle, with over 25 locations in New York, stated that the decision to sell the beloved Queens location was due to the property’s significantly increased value, a common scenario in a family-owned business.
“As the value increases, it makes business sense for us to listen closely to a prospective buyer,” Chief Marketing Officer Jamie Richardson told the outlet.
Richardson said that the restaurant’s employees will be offered new positions with the company.
“When a change like this occurs, White Castle reinvests proceeds from the sale in continuing to grow our business overall and focuses on remaining a great place to work,” Richardson said.
However, the move to sell the location has shocked nearby residents who view the fast-food joint as more of a fixture of the community.
Elmhurst resident James McMenamin said the closure marks “the end of an era” and reflects the “radically” changing environment along Queens Boulevard.
“The iconic location I believe opened about the time of the 39-40 World’s Fair, a familiar recognizable spot on the landscape that evoked nostalgia, in a radically and quickly being altered Queens Blvd.,” he told the outlet.
The commiseration extended to users online, who reflected on the decades of satisfied cravings.
“My grandfather used to take us there when we were little. It’s a sad day,” one Redditor said earlier this week. “Also, that space seems a little small for apartment buildings.
“Been there countless times growing up in 70-80s. Sad to see it go!” another user added.
“I love that place and my sadness about it is immense,” a third person said.
Local historian Michael Perlman told the Queens Chronicle that the location first opened in 1939, was rebuilt in 1963 and again in the 2000s, and was renovated just a year ago — calling it “senseless to undo that among its longtime cultural history.”
Even with 85 years behind it, the Elmhurst location isn’t New York City’s oldest White Castle, according to Spectrum News.
That title belongs to the White Castle on Fordham Road in the Bronx, which has been running since 1930.
White Castle got its start in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas, founded by Walt Anderson and Billy Ingram, who officially incorporated the business in 1924.
It’s widely credited as the world’s first fast-food hamburger chain — famous for its small, square “sliders.”