A plan for the long-shuttered Katina’s Diner to become a southern outpost of the New Purity Diner fell through suddenly last week, leaving fans of the Seventh Avenue greasy spoon wondering if the other soufflé had fallen.
As The Stoop reported two weeks ago, a deal was all but signed that would have New Purity’s owners take over Katina’s, which is undergoing renovations to its Seventh Avenue and 12th Street location.
All that remained was for Gus, Katina’s long-time owner (who doesn’t give his last name), to sign on the dotted line.
But Gus backed out of selling his corner spot to his pals, the Kolosakas family, which bought the New Purity Diner from Gus six years ago.
This time, Gus said the deal was taking too long.
“They were playing games!” he told The Stoop. “Last time, the deal took six months. I don’t need that kind of problem.”
This week found Gus, fresh from a trip to Florida, back at Katina’s making last-minute repairs so he can open by the middle of March.
“A lot of people know this place, I don’t want to loose any more customers over this,” he said.
As for the Kolosakas brothers, they are still hoping to open another Park Slope restaurant, maybe even in South Slope, setting up the ultimate egg sandwich smackdown!
