The Checkers on 1st Avenue closes

The Checkers outpost on First Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street has closed... as the photo by Pinch shows, workers have removed the Checkers sign ... and the space is empty...

This location reopened in September after a 6-month closure during the pandemic.

Checkers debuted here in December 2014.

Checking in on Checkers

[Photo by Steven]

The Checkers outpost has First Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street had been very quiet these past six months... and there was some speculation among Checkers Watchers® that this quick-serve location was not going to reopen following the COVID-19 PAUSE. (Last we checked, this Checkers looked checked out.)

However, as the top photo from yesterday shows, Checkers returned to service this week for takeout and delivery... and there's even one seat for dining alfresco.

Hard to believe but this Checkers has already been here for almost six years.

Checkers opens TODAY; 1st look at the specials

The Checkers Watch® comes to an end today with the Grand Opening here on First Avenue between East 13th Street and East 14th Street.

And here is a look at just two of their specials…



… Checkers is also serving… smiles.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Checkers headed to 1st Avenue

The Checkers sign on 1st Avenue is looking so Checkers-ish

OK! Apologies for TWO Checkers-related posts in one week. But! We hadn't seen the Checkers signage for ourselves at 225 First Ave. between East 13th Street and East 14th Street … until yesterday afternoon.

Look how it gleams in the afternoon sun!

We actually don't know a thing about Checkers. According to the Checkers franchising website: "Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. burst onto the burger scene with their over-the-top flavors in 1986 in Mobile, Alabama."

And what do they serve?

"Burgers, Wings, Seasoned Fries and Shakes, if it's over-the-top flavor you're looking for you'll be sure to find it at a New York Area Checkers."



In April 2013, Crain's reported that Checkers was going to add another 22 restaurants in NYC by 2015.

So maybe we better get used to seeing them.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Checkers headed to 1st Avenue

2 things to note about this block of First Avenue

On the west side of First Avenue between East 13th Street and East 14th Street:

1) The Checkers sign has arrived!

2) The E Smoke Shop is now open with welcoming festive balloonage.

Thanks to an EVG reader for this photo today...

Checking in on Checkers

As we noted back in late August, a Checkers is opening at 225 First Ave. between East 13th Street and East 14th Street … they've been collecting résumés the past few weeks…



… and the logo for the burger chain is now up inside…



No word on an opening date. Higher rents forced the previous longtime tenant, Gabay's Outlet, to leave the storefront for a new home at 195 Avenue A last summer.

Checkers raises the flag on 1st Avenue

As we reported back on Aug. 25, a Checkers is opening at 225 First Avenue between East 13th Street and East 14th Street.

And now the opening soon signage is up for another NYC location of the burger chain. (In April 2013, Crain's reported that Checkers was going to add another 22 restaurants in NYC by 2015.)

Higher rents forced longtime tenant Gabay's Outlet to leave this storefront for a new home at 195 Avenue A this past summer.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Checkers headed to 1st Avenue

Checkers headed to 1st Avenue

[EVG photo from July]

Higher rents forced longtime tenant Gabay's Outlet to leave First Avenue for a new home at 195 Avenue A earlier this summer.

Work permits at the old storefront at 225 First Ave. between East 13th Street and East 14th Street reveal the new tenant — a Checkers.



In April 2013, Crain's reported that the fast-food chain was going to add another 22 restaurants in NYC by 2015.

A Checkers opened in Tribeca in 2009. There's also a location in Hamilton Heights.

Here's the official Checkers story via the company website:

Checkers & Rally's restaurants were born out of the idea that a bland and flavorless burger was downright bad and that Americans everywhere deserved a better tasting burger — one that was unexpectedly bold, made-to-order and priced at a value that was hard to beat. Founded by experienced foodies with a renegade spirit, both the Checkers & Rally's unique double drive-thru concept, with its over-the-top checkerboard squares, chrome styling, red neon signs and of course the food, was an instant hit. These two new burger experiences were hot, fresh and served with a smile. People were hooked, and the world of cookie cutter corporate burger establishments was about to change.

Arlene Spiegel, a restaurant consultant, said this to Crain's about Checkers:

"I see them filling the space between quick-service-restaurants like McDonald's and gourmet burger concepts," said Ms. Spiegel. But she cautioned that it may be difficult for a suburban drive-thru concept to adapt to an urban market.

Previously on EV Grieve:
After 45 years on 1st Avenue, Gabay's Outlet is on the move