Tourist Hotspot Ellen's Stardust Diner May Shut Down: Report

TIMES SQUARE, NY — A Times Square restaurant popular with tourists and known for its Broadway-aspiring, singing waitstaff is in danger of closing permanently due to the economic costs of the coronavirus outbreak, according to reports.

Owners of Ellen's Stardust Diner posted a notice on the restaurant's door this week claiming the business owes more $600,000 to its landlords in back rent, NBC New York first reported. If the business does not pay the rent by Aug. 7, Ellen's will be forced to close, according to the report.

The diner, located on West 51st Street and Broadway, has been hit hard by social distancing regulations enforced by the city and state to curb the spread of the coronavirus in New York City. Restaurants were limited to delivery and take-out in March and have only been allowed to reopen for outdoor dining since mid-June.

Ellen's Stardust Diner laid off its staff on March 16, according to a fund set up to support the restaurant's employees. The fund, which was created in April, met its initial $25,000 goal this month. Donors who give more than $100 will be sent a recording of an Ellen's staff member singing a song of their choice and donors who give more than $200 get a duet or trio performance.

New York City's tourism industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. The city's tourism agency launched an initiative this month in an attempt to return more than 403,000 tourism and hospitality employees across the city to work. Broadway theaters are canceling performances until at least January 2021.