Iconic S&S Diner in Edgewater to Close Following Eviction

The historic S&S Diner, a beloved all-too-rare vestige of Old Miami, might close as soon as tomorrow, according to manager Maria Linares.

The possible forthcoming shuttering, which Linares said she learned of today through someone at the property management company, is yet another nail in the coffin for storied and historic Miami locations waylaid by the city's real-estate industry.

As of late Wednesday morning, Linares was scrambling to remove office equipment and other valuables from the restaurant. "They said they're coming with sheriffs and lawyers to change the locks," she said. Simon Elbaz who's owned the nearly eight-decade-old restaurant for the past 17 years said he was trying to negotiate with new landlord ARSS Capital Ltd. to stay in the space while he looks for a new location.

"There are people with jobs here. What are they supposed to do now?" Linares said.

ASRR, a publicly traded Israeli developer, couldn't immediately be reached for comment. In recent years, the company, led by New York City real-estate moguls Alex Sapir and Rotem Rosen, has been scooping up valuable properties in and around the Miami's urban core. In late May, ASRR paid $33 million for the 60,000-square-foot tract on which S&S sits, according to the Real Deal.

Coincidentally, S&S Diner South near Coral Gables will close its doors permanently after this weekend. Though the names are the same, the two eateries have different ownership and management. 

This post will be updated as soon as more information is available.