The end of the line for Andy's Diner in Seattle
Landmark rail-car restaurant finds going too tough


by Gregory Roberts
SeattlePI.com
Tuesday, January 22, 2008


Andy's Diner, a South Seattle landmark for more than 50 years, has closed its doors -- again.

"It just wasn't a very profitable venture," owner Bill Howard said Monday. "Times have changed since the heyday of Andy's Diner."

The diner, housed in a collection of historic railroad cars, served its last barbecued steak and bourbon on the rocks Saturday. The rail cars include one that President Franklin Roosevelt reportedly traveled in during his 1944 re-election campaign.

Howard, who operates a lighting business nearby, and two partners bought the diner in July 2000. The place closed for a few months while the new owners cleaned, painted and recarpeted. They reopened that October.

But Howard said Andy's never operated in the black under his ownership. Part of the reason, he said, is that people nowadays -- commendably -- are more concerned about drinking and driving.

Also, Andy's is in a commercial and industrial area and there aren't any nearby residents to patronize its bar.

The restaurant originally was opened in 1949 by Andy Nagy.

Andy's Diner aka "KJR Truckin Stop" has been a haven for Seattle Disc-Jockeys and Personalities over the years. One of the Last gatherings which took place was a Memorial Service for the Late Lan Roberts

                
Left to Right: Gary Shannon, Emperor Smith, Normal Gregory, Keven Metheny, Lan Roberts, Ric Hansen, Robert L. Scott
                                                "photo courtesy the late Lan Roberts"


Howard owns the business but not the land it occupies at 2963 Fourth Ave. S. He said he had been trying to find a buyer for Andy's, but that effort fizzled when his landlord negotiated a sale of the underlying property, derailing the chance to extend the diner's lease.

As for the future of Andy's, Howard said, that depends on what the buyer of the property wants to do with it.



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P-I reporter Gregory Roberts can be reached at 206-448-8022 or gregoryroberts@seattlepi.com.

© 1998-2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Every time we lost one of our Brothers in Broadcasting ... the memorial was always there.  Many from "this" community have attended ... Doc Harris, Red Robinson; and of course the Seattle folks.  As the article explains, there was NO heads' up for the close of the place --- we had a major reunion scheduled there in August.  We're now feeling the irony that in addition to the people memorials we have had there, it's time to do one for the restaurant itself.

Nearly EVERY good "drinking hangout" from Seattle radio heyday is now gone ... perhaps there is symbolic meaning in that as well!