Local Favorite Spot Vicky's Diner Is Closing In Wash Heights

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Vicky's Diner is closing in Washington Heights after a long run in the Upper Manhattan neighborhood.

An employee at the restaurant confirmed the closing to Patch, but did not specify a timeline or reason.

The beloved joint at 805 W. 187th Street was in the neighborhood for more than 15 years, serving up omelettes, burgers, Greek spinach pies, piping-hot cups of coffee, and other classic diner dishes.

Vicky, who owns the restaurant, first immigrated to the United States from Greece in 1975. She worked in the restaurant industry for more than 20 years before she eventually opened the first Vicky's Diner in the Bronx.

She ran that diner with her family and small staff for several years, but it got ripped away from them when a fire started at an adjacent building burned the whole block to the ground.

However, the moment of tragedy would bring Vicky to Washington Heights.

She took a job with Angela's Coffee Shop at the 805 W. 187th building. The owners of Angela's retired not soon after, and the space became the second Vicky's Diner.

Four years ago, the filmmaker Chris LoDuca, created a documentary about Vicky's journey to owning her restaurant, and the story of the people that helped her do it.

The news that Vicky's Diner is closing made its way through online Washington Heights community groups on Thursday, and a GoFundMe was quickly created to raise funds for the staff.

"Looks like Vicky's diner is another victim of COVID — not sure what we can do to save it from the landlords but at least we can raise some funds that can be split amongst the small staff," organizers of the GoFundMe wrote. "They have been like family to us and our children over the years."

It has raised $2,150 as of Friday morning.

This story will be updated when Patch gets more information about the reasoning for closure and when the expected date is.