Daily News | ‘The Melrose will stay,’ diner owner says after a fire that followed news of a demolition permit
South Philadelphia’s landmark Melrose Diner, shuttered by a kitchen fire Monday morning, does not have a date with the wrecking ball, its owner said.that he obtained a demolition permit for the diner and the two adjacent buildings. The property occupies a full block bordered by 15th Street, West Passyunk Avenue, and Snyder Avenue.
Damage was unknown immediately, said Petrogiannis, reached during a trip to visit family in Greece. He said a cook had turned on a grill at the beginning of his shift and accidentally left it unattended.Demo permits are issued for Melrose and Broad Street Diners Petrogiannis, like many other diner owners, said he has been struggling since the pandemic with skyrocketing food costs and a labor shortage that keeps him working where needed from early morning till late at night. The Melrose’s hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Petrogiannis’ stress, he said, is high and good news is rare. Notified about the fire, following the fallout from the demolition permit, he said: “When it rains, it pours.”