[Photo from 1997 by @JenniferKellow]
As we first reported yesterday, Yaffa Cafe is now officially closed at 97 St. Mark's Place.
The DOH temporarily closed the restaurant on Sept. 5. In addition, the city ordered Yaffa's owners to shut down the backyard garden.
Last night, ownership posted this statement to their Facebook page:
Yes, Yaffa is closed. We really want to thank everybody who came to Yaffa and kept it open for 31 years.
I know we helped a few families to start a relationship at our establishment.
We had a great years and some not great, but now its time to go.
The city closed our garden, one of our not friendly neighbours complained to the building department, and they came and put 35 families out of work.
I am sure she is very happy.
Thank you all for supporting us.
Throughout the day yesterday, Yaffa fans took to Twitter to express their feelings.
I wouldn't care if the backyard was on fire or a rat was tap dancing on my tuna melt. I wish I could sit down at @YaffaCafe one more time.
— Francine (@FrancineD) October 2, 2014
Heartbroken over the closure of @YaffaCafe. It held a very special part of my soul. #stripperinmanhattan #nyc pic.twitter.com/qb0r2kpGcr
— Bella Luna (@bawdybelle) October 2, 2014
I have lots of fond memories from @YaffaCafe in #NYC; so much good conversation and carrot-ginger salad dressing. Now it has closed :-(
— Elizabeth Landau (@lizlandau) October 2, 2014
Grub Street has a collection of the tweets here.
Previously on EV Grieve:
A Google ad now covers the iconic Yaffa Cafe mural on St. Mark's Place
Yaffa Cafe will be back, though likely without its backyard garden
Yaffa Cafe is officially gone; back garden dismantled