Construction crews have begun tearing down a landmark in South Philadelphia. The Melrose Diner was a fixture in the community for decades, up until a fire last summer forced it to close, leaving many people with questions about it reopening. The owners say the future of the diner will remain in the current spot with plans to rebuild. NBC10’s Brian Sheehan spoke with longtime customers of the South Philly landmark.
An icon of the South Philadelphia dining scene for decades is being torn down.
An excavator could be seen tearing apart the Melrose Diner at Snyder and Passyunk Avenues Wednesday morning. Much of the building's recognizable red overhang and the main entrance sign were already gone.
Over the summer, NBC10 learned that the plan is to build a multi-story apartment building with a roof deck and smaller restaurant space on the ground level on the corner where Melrose Diner has stood since the 1950s.
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Melrose Diner was forced to close last year after an early morning fire. After that July 2022 blaze, ownership pledged to "reopen as quickly and safely as possible." However, just weeks before the fire, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Michael Klein reported that diner ownership had obtained a demolition permit for the Melrose Diner and that sources said the Melrose Diner could possibly be razed in favor of a taller structure.
"A lot of memories. It's a sad day," Marlene Eggear of South Philadelphia told NBC10. "The Melrose has been here for a long time and when we used to go nightclubbing years ago, naturally, we used to come here after the clubs were closed and have breakfast."
Eggear was among those from the neighborhood who stopped to watch the razing of the diner Wednesday. Many snapped photos and reminisced about times spent having a cup of coffee or a meal inside.
"I used to take my grandkids there, my children there. I had a couple of my anniversaries there," South Philadelphia resident Antoine Nazario said.
There is no timetable yet for when the demolition will be complete and it isn't clear when construction on the new building will be completed.
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