One of DC’s Last Diners Closes Its Doors

• July 9, 2018

by UrbanTurf Staff

One of DC's last diners has closed its doors. 

The American City Diner, a staple along an upper stretch of Connecticut Avenue (map) since 1988, is now closed, according to a Facebook post from Dana Wancjer, the niece of former city boxing commissioner Jeffrey Gildenhorn, who brought the diner to Chevy Chase DC and passed away last summer.

"Thank you so much to all of our longtime customers and the amazing community of Chevy Chase, DC for your support over the past 30+ years," the Facebook post read. "It’s been a privilege serving you but the time has come for the American City Diner to close its doors."

Business at the diner had declined in recent years and following a recent closure due to an electrical outage, the decision was made to close permanently. Late last year, Omar and Monica Haleem, who live across the street, launched a crowdfunding campaign in hopes of preserving the diner’s place in the neighborhood, but couldn't reach their $100,000 goal. 

Update -- The Washington Business Journal is reporting that Steve Salis has purchased the diner. Salis owns area restaurants including Ted's Bulletin and Federalist Pig, as well as  Kramerbooks & Afterwords. 

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/one-of-dcs-last-diners-closes-its-doors/14201