Bye Bye, Betty's Diner

Everyone loves an all-American diner. Betty's Diner (formerly Dino's), beloved by Lincoln Heights locals for good service, cleanliness, and serving breakfast all day, stood at 2819 North Broadway, near Sichel Street.

Betty's Diner, which has been closed for some time, caught on fire on July 16. The only media outlet that noticed seems to be Hoodline.

Father Dylan Littlefield caught the aftermath of a second fire at the same address on Monday and reached out.

Thankfully, the July 16 fire was out in minutes. 2819 North Broadway is next to a GAS STATION. (What is it with empty, neglected buildings right next to gas stations?) That could have had catastrophic results.

The restaurant business is a difficult one, and it's not unusual for restaurants to close when times are tough (like during a global pandemic). But city records show a bit more detail about a possible reason the former Betty's was still empty.

2819 North Broadway hasn't changed hands recently; it last sold in 2018. A permit issued over a year ago gives the owner permission to repair and remodel the restaurant inside and out. (The building itself, a single-story box built in 1988, wasn't particularly remarkable.)

I couldn't tell you why the renovations hadn't begun. But I can tell you that a permit to install a new fire sprinkler system was withdrawn in October. Hmm.

In July of 2022, the code enforcement complaints began to roll in. "Abandoned or vacant building left open to the public" appears on the list EIGHT times, along with complaints about graffiti, peeling paint, trash, and danger of collapse.

Where is the building's owner?

2819 North Broadway, Lincoln Heights.

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