Ed Debevic's, self-described as Chicago's "only retro-themed diner," is an experience. View Full Caption Flickr/Colleen Kelly

RIVER NORTH — The show's almost over at Ed Debevic's.

The retro-themed River North diner known for its sassy servers will close Oct. 4 at 640 N. Wells St., staff told DNAinfo Chicago on Monday.

News of the closing date arrives nearly five months after reports that a developer was circling the diner's property to build an apartment tower. Debevic's, a tourist attraction that helped draw visitors to River North long before the neighborhood established its nightlife cachet, first opened in 1984.

Dave Matthews details the new tower planned for the spot:

Chicago-based JDL Development has proposed a 22-story, 251-unit tower for the site. If built, it would be the latest apartment high-rise in River North, a neighborhood chock full of construction cranes. A shuttered Gino's East pizzeria across the street from Debevic's will also make way for an apartment tower. JDL President Jim Letchinger did not immediately return a message seeking comment.



A rendering of JDL's proposed tower at dusk. [HPA]

Jeffrey Himmel, whose Bravo Restaurants Inc. controls Ed Debevic's, reportedly plans to open a new location in River North after closing the diner at 640 N. Wells. He did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

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