‘NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!’ wrote editor Susan Chumsky under a photo of a desolate-looking Eisenberg’s Sandwich shop with a “FOR LEASE” sign displayed on its window.
One of only a few surviving old fashioned New York diners is now closed indefinitely. News articles reported that even though the space is on the market, the landlord would still prefer to see the iconic restaurant reopened.
Warren Chiu who owns Eisenberg has been unable to pay rent since the beginning of the pandemic. The restaurant was already witnessing diminished revenues even before the pandemic, and things only became worse with the onset of the pandemic.
Chiu’s father established the Warwick Hotels 41 years ago. He purchased the Eisenberg Sandwich shop 5 years ago hoping to maintain the tradition of Eisenberg. Last year, he even introduced the Eisenberg menu to the Warwick hotel in San Francisco. He was clearly committed to the menu.
Even before it became official, there had been rumors of its impending closure. Now, the chances of the restaurant surviving long term are slim to none.
Long-time customers of Eisenberg are disappointed. But in a development that might turn out to be a blessing in disguise, Chiu does not have intellectual property rights over the menu. This means that one of these days someone might offer the characteristic Eisenberg tuna melt.
