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Owner of Gemini Diner Looking to Open in Old Lyric Diner Space

By Noah Hurowitz | August 12, 2016 4:28pm | Updated on August 15, 2016 11:54am
 The owner of Gemini Diner is planning to open a new venture in the space of the old Lyric Diner.
The owner of Gemini Diner is planning to open a new venture in the space of the old Lyric Diner.
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DNAinfo/Noah Hurowitz

CORRECTION: In an earlier version of this story, DNAinfo misidentified the owner of the restaurant looking to take over the Lyric Diner space. John Kapetanos, owner of The Moonstruck Diner, said he is not the same John Kapetanos who is affiliated with 283 Third Ave. 

GRAMERCY — The owner of Murray Hill's Gemini Diner is planning to open a new restaurant in the space of Gramercy's shuttered Lyric Diner.

Gus Kassimis, owner of Gemini Diner on East 35th Street, is planning to open "Tivoli Café Bar & Grill," which he described as a "traditional diner with newer flair" in the former home of the Lyric Diner at 283 Third Ave., which closed for good in April.

“We’re gonna have a bar and some tap beers, but you’ll still be able to get your traditional table fare,” Kassimis said. “We were sad to see the old Lyric Diner go, so when we were approached with the opportunity, we said ‘why not?’”

Kassimis said he hopes to have the new restaurant open by Sept. 15.

The city on Aug. 2 gave the building's owner, John Kapetanos, permission to build out a new restaurant in the space, according to Department of Buildings records. 

Lyric Diner closed for good in April after owner George Kalogerakos decided it was time to pack it in, according to broker James Bullaro, who was tasked with renting out the space. Bullaro did not respond to a request for comment on the new venture.

Kalogerakos had closed the diner once before in 2012, and opened a more formal Greek restaurant in its place called Taverna, but he brought the old diner back in 2013.

Kassimis is scheduled to go before CB6's Business and Street Affairs Committee on Aug. 25 regarding a liquor license application for the site.