Posted on April 23, 2017 at 5:22 pm by West Sider

Artie’s Delicatessen at 2290 Broadway between 82nd and 83rd Street closed its doors for good on Wednesday after 18 years, leaving the neighborhood with an overstuffed case of emotional heartburn.

“This is a major loss for the neighborhood,” wrote Jeff, a customer who told us about the closing.

Artie’s was opened by the family of legendary Upper West Side restaurateur Artie Cutler in 1999, after Artie himself had died in 1997. It was Jewish-style but not Kosher (corned beef, chopped liver and…shrimp scampi).

But the new owner had gotten into financial trouble recently, filing for bankruptcy last year. George, an employee at the restaurant, told us that the staff was stunned and upset about the closure, and anxious about getting their paychecks. There are about 70 employees at the restaurant, George said. “A lot of them have families, a lot of them are working other jobs.” (We were unable to get in contact with the current owner through another restaurant he owns in midtown.)

George said that current employees would love to find a way to reopen somewhere else in the neighborhood. But at least for now, goodbye Artie’s.

“So sad to see Artie’s go,” wrote Jenny Davidoff Cook. “For eighteen years it had been our go-to place for matzo ball soup when any of us were sick. We will definitely miss it!”

Thanks to Ed, Jeff, Taryn, Francine, and others for the tips.