The latest on the Hollywood Diner

UPDATE: No takers yet for Hollywood Diner. With all the news about the movie "Diner" being made into a Broadway show, I wondered what was going on at Baltimore's Hollywood Diner, which was used in Barry Levinson's 1982 acclaimed film.

Sadly, the cafe part of the diner will be closing this week, said Cheryl Townsend, owner of Red Springs Cafe and Catering, which is running the food operation. But it will be open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. through Friday if you want to get a taste of Cheryl's Southern soul food in the classic diner.

"We're not getting the business," she said. "We're competing with the food trucks."

Cheryl will still be continuing her catering business and perhaps relocating elsewhere, she said.

The diner, at 400 E. Saratoga St., is owned by the city and has been a vocational training ground for students through the Chesapeake Center for Youth Development.

Ivan Leshinsky, executive director of CCYD, said the organization is actively looking for another operator or partner to run Hollywood Diner. Until then, the training program is on hold.

“We’ve used the building for 20 years,” he said. “The biggest challenge is to make the diner a profitable restaurant.”

He said the structure and restaurant equipment need a major overhaul. "It will take a sizeable investment," on the part of the next proprietor, he said.

Hopefully, this isn’t Hollywood Diner’s final scene.

Photo courtesy of welcometobaltimorehon.com