EAST VILLAGE - After more than 35 years, the curtain has finally fallen on The Stage Restaurant.
The Eastern European institution, frequented by locals alongside luminaries including Helen Mirren, announced Wednesday that it has closed permanently.
“The events of the year have been overwhelmingly devastating on us and we have decided to close the Stage’s door,” owner Roman Daikun wrote on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
The business, located at 128 Second Ave., has been closed for nearly a year since The Stage’s landlord, Icon Realty Management LLC, accused Daikun of illegally siphoning gas and ordered him to vacate the property.
An illegal gas hookup in a different building caused the March 2015 Second Avenue explosion that killed two and destroyed two buildings.
At the time of the eviction notice, Con Ed cut off gas service to The Stage, forcing it to close its doors. But Daikun denied wrongdoing and sued the landlord. In October, a judge temporarily stayed the eviction order pending the lawsuit’s resolution.
On Facebook, Daikun wrote that the business has resolved its legal battles with its landlord.
“However, after our prolonged closure and because of the cost to make the repairs and expenses of reopening, we are sad to say that the Stage cannot reopen,” he said.
“We are so grateful to all who have made the experience of running this restaurant in such a vibrant and supportive area of this great city a remarkable and unforgettable journey for us."
Icon Realty spokesman Chris Coffey confirmed the closure Wednesday. Icon had not raised the rent on the property in the last year, he said, adding that it would now go on the market.
The Stage's past legal struggles with the realtor "ended fairly amicably, and we wish them well," Coffey said.
