By Ian Gronau, Delaware State News
DOVER, Del.- The Southern Grille Hollywood Diner of Dover has shut its doors. As of Friday, the shades were drawn, the parking lot was vacant and the following message was written on the glass front door: “Sorry we’re closed. Please visit us at our Ellendale location. Thank you for your loyalty. We will miss you. — Management."
The diner’s owner, Ronald White, couldn’t be reached for comment but an employee of The Southern Grille of Ellendale (his other restaurant) confirmed that the diner had been closed and there were no plans to reopen it.
No specific reason for the closure was given, but the employee said: “ we just couldn’t make it in Dover.”
Mr. White’s other restaurant is located on 711 Main St. in Ellendale.
Short run
The diner, on 123 N. Dupont Highway, was only open for about a year in its current iteration. Mr. White purchased the business and building March 2018 and officially reopened its doors that June.
Originally opened in the early 1950s, the landmark, chromed eatery had simply been known as The Hollywood Diner.
Though few cosmetic changes were made during the brief renovation period, Mr. White was optimistic that planned improvements to the menu would revitalize the diner.
“The diner has a great look that people recognize and enjoy. We want to keep that for the folks around here,” Mr. White said last year. “We’re just going to bring a different type of food and some more energy to the place.”
Now closed, the future of the iconic diner is unclear.