For decades, the Palace Diner has been a popular meeting place for City of Poughkeepsie residents, officials and college students alike.

On any given day, patrons may bite into a burger or sandwich next to a police officer, college basketball coach or even a county executive.

And though the eatery is under new ownership, patrons should not expect any changes to the eatery’s menu, name or staff.

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After 36 years running the diner, the Vanikiotis Group sold it on May 25 in an effort to reduce the number of businesses it operates, said Roseanne Vanikiotis, administrative officer with the Vanikiotis Group. Vanikiotis cited personal reasons for the sale.

"It was a hard one," she said. "Palace Diner was one of our most successful restaurants, and we left behind a lot of family. From our perspective, our staff is like family."

The Palace Diner, located around the corner from Marist College and MidHudson Regional Hospital, was never listed as for sale, Vanikiotis said. Michael Pagonas, a New Jersey-based restaurant owner, contacted the Vanikiotis Group expressing an interest in buying the restaurant.

"It's part of the culture," Vanikiotis said. "Restaurant owners are always looking for something new."

Pagonas, who owns restaurants in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, said he visited the Palace Diner after hearing the owners may be interested in selling it.

"We're basically keeping the same menu, but we're looking to renovate the place and freshen up the look," he said.

Moving forward, the Vanikiotis Group plans to focus on its other businesses, including Daily Planet Diner in LaGrangeville, Table Talk Diner in Poughkeepsie, and Red Line Diner in Fishkill, as well as Hyde Park Marina and Townsend Plaza in Fishkill.

"We didn't make this sale with the intention of reopening somewhere else," Vanikiotis said.

For the Vanikiotis Group, the sale is the end of an era as it prioritizes its other restaurants.

"The best word for it is bittersweet," Vanikiotis said. "We needed to slow down with the number of things we were doing, but it still was a heart-wrenching experience."

Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: Geoff_LW