EDGEWATER — The iconic Deluxe Diner neon sign is among of the last exterior remnants of the former restaurant — though not for long as the diner is well on its way to becoming a Cozy Corner pancake house this summer.
In the next 60 days, the Deluxe Diner sign, which hangs at 6349 N. Clark St., will be removed, discarded and replaced by a new red Cozy Corner sign, owner Peter Iatrides said Tuesday.
Iatrides said progress of the transformation is "going great," adding that once a new roof is complete exterior work on the Clark Street and Devon Avenue-facing building will nearly be done. On the inside, he said heating, plumbing and air conditioning are all coming along.
Iatrides said he hopes the breakfast and lunch diner will be open by late June, and in the meantime is focusing on creating new menu items, improving menu selection and training staff.
The Edgewater spot will make the chain's third location, with two others in Logan Square and Hermosa. The new Clark Street building will closely resemble the popular Logan Square location.
Records show Deluxe Diner failed at least one routine health inspection in May, and in June a health inspector was sent to the restaurant after someone filed a complaint.
According to city health records, Deluxe was given the green light to begin serving customers again on June 15, the owners did not renew their business license after it expired just two months later on Aug. 15.
By the fall, it was slated to become Cozy Corner.
"We love the neighborhood: a lot of density, a lot of diversity up there," Iatrides said. "I think every neighborhood needs a nice quality diner, and Cozy Corner is going to try to provide that."
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