Galicia Restaurant In Washington Heights Faces Rent Hike

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Just days after Washington Heights favorite Coogan's negotiated a lease extension in the face of a rent hike, another longtime neighborhood restaurant is under threat of eviction.

Galicia Restaurant on Broadway between West 172nd and 173rd streets is facing an "exorbitant rent increase" which could force the eatery to close, City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez announced. The restaurant has been serving up Spanish food staples since 1988.

Rodriguez is urging the Washington Heights community to come together to help save the restaurant.

"Let's work together to save Galicia!" the City Councilman wrote in an email "And others of our long-time businesses in the same situation."

Hundreds of people have signed a petition started on Change.org to drum up public support for the endangered restaurant. The petition — directed at landlord Edel Family Management — said that 14 people will lose their jobs if the restaurant is forced to close.

"Another small business in our community is being forced to close. It has been a part of the mosaic of our diverse community for over 30 years," the petition reads.

A rally to save the restaurant will be held on Sunday, Jan. 21, at noon.

Photo courtesy City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez