Introduction
Welcome to the third part of our look back at the past through the stories of Hicksville’s diners. Last month’s article ended on a sour note: it was 1958, and New York State had unveiled its misguided response to the increased traffic generated by the Mid-Island Plaza: widen Broadway and flatten whatever is in the way. The first phase of work, the road north of the LIRR tracks, was imminent. The next phase – demolishing buildings on the west side of Broadway between the tracks and Old Country Road -- would come later.
I should mention that the “dining car” restaurant that you see on the right side of this picture is NOT the Empire. It is an old incarnation of the Broadway Diner.
In consequence, Archie Kyriacou had relocated his Empire Diner, and afterwards he was not pleased about the result. To better understand why, let’s go back to the 1950s now, and look at the junction of Broadway and Jerusalem Avenue at John Street. I apologize to you all for the poor quality of the image which follows. It was taken in 1956 from the Professional Building by Harold Kelly, and it seems to have suffered over the ensuing years – but at least we still have it.
