James Jollay
Within mere months of celebrating 20 years in business, American Star Diner in the Montgomery Commons Shopping Center on Welsh Road in Montgomery Township closed for good Sunday, after failing to come to terms with a new sublease agreement.
The diner, which was originally the site of Poco’s in the 1970s, Spartan in the 1980s, and Trave’s up until the early 2000s, has been owned by Diab Safi, of Whitehall, and his family, since opening in 2006.
The Safis, under American Star Diner LLC, own the business name and concept. The building is owned by Pennmark Management, and the parcel, separate from the shopping center, owned by Montgomery Commons Associates of Plymouth Meeting, according to county property records. Montgomery Commons Associates also owns the shopping center.
“After nearly 20 years of serving the community from the American Star Diner, we’re saddened to share that we’re no longer operating in that building. The property’s original tenant, who subleased the space to us, chose not to renew our sublease after we couldn’t come to an agreement on new terms,” said the Safi family in a statement exclusive to North Penn Now. “We worked tirelessly to find a fair and sustainable path forward, but the rent was already difficult to sustain without pricing ourselves out of what makes a true diner accessible; good, honest food at reasonable prices.”
The Safi family said the original tenant assumed the lease directly and plans to close the building for renovations before reopening under new management and concept.
“While this outcome wasn’t our decision, we’re proud of the legacy we built, and the many relationships formed over nearly two decades in that space. We’re incredibly grateful to our loyal customers, staff, and community for their support through the years, and we look forward to sharing what’s next for us very soon,” the family said.
The family suspected the employees would be kept on to help with renovations.
Questions about American Star Diner and its operations can be directed to [email protected].
This story is developing.
