White Castle is closing its 88-08 Northern Blvd. restaurant on Jan. 26 after being in business at that location since 1935 (GMaps)
Jan. 25, 2022 By Christian Murray
The burger chain White Castle will permanently close its Jackson Heights restaurant Wednesday after being in operation at that location since 1935, according to a company spokesperson.
“It was a tough decision to close,” said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle, referring to the 88-08 Northern Blvd. site. “This restaurant served so many [people] for 86 years, 5 months and 25 days.”
Richardson said that the company has no plans to close any of the other restaurants in Queens and he said that business overall is doing well.
“We have a commitment to Queens that goes back to the 1930s and that is not changing,” Richardson said.
White Castle has restaurants in Sunnyside, Elmhurst, Bayside, Ozone Park, Jamaica and Queens Village.
Richardson said that all the employees at the Jackson Heights location have been offered positions at other White Castle locations. He didn’t disclose why the Jackson Heights restaurant is closing but sources said that sales were weak.
Richardson said that some of White Castle’s upper management once worked there. He said that John Vogt, who is currently the chairperson of Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District, got his start there in 1970 working behind the grill. He worked his way up and became a regional manager before retiring in recent years.
The future of the property, which is owned by White Castle, is not yet known. Richardson chose not to comment as to the company’s plans for the site.
The company closed its regional headquarters at 69-01 34th Ave. in 2014. The city bought the property and built PS 398Q: The Hector Figueroa School.
White Castle is a family-owned business that currently operates in 377 locations across 13 states. It has been credited as the world’s first fast-food hamburger chain, founded on Sept. 13, 1921.
The popular burger chain is best known for its small, square hamburgers referred to as sliders.
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22 Comments
It’s too bad,
being a family
run business,
that your infamous
‘White Castles’
are not carefully
‘Lovingly’(as in family)
put(cooked assembled yada)
Together…
I.E…White Castles
If my Childhood…
Personal Opinion…
Thanks…
Hey pols. You do nothing about crime, housing, education etc. at least do something about this! It is a national landmark. Belly bombs are loved by many people not only in the NY area but all over the country! As for me give me belly bombs or give me death!! (actually the first can give you the second).
White castle has been around since 1935,it should be a landmark,when I was a kid they only cost 6 cents for one,plus people will lose their jobs,think about that,if this post doesn’t go through its cause they don’t like ehat I’m saying
White castle should stay open since it has been around 1935 & it has become more expensive when I grew up one white castle was only 6 cents for one little burger,its a land mark or should be,yes its junk food but if u have it twice a year it’s ok
l was born in 1935 very sorry to see it go
need need more store in nassau or the island
Build on in south west Oklahoma. Lots of Yankees live here. Only can buy frozen thanks for nothing ?
It’s sad to see it closed down after all these years. I hope they temporarily close it and do some renovation to it. I think it would be a better deal.
What they should close down is the Fair Theater, 90-18 Astoria Blvd. in East Elmhurst.
That place is disgustingly dirty and filthy and gross. They’re in dire need of new bathrooms , new floors , new seating , new management. That establishment been around for decades with no changes. The city should take a hard look at that Theater. The place breeds germs , bacteria , maybe even viruses. So , I hope when someone reads this , they should notify the Health Department of the city of New York. The Fair Theater needs a brand new face lift , a major make over , renovation to the hilt. Thank you in advance….
I really wish they would open a restaurant in Charlotte or preferably Gastonia(which is closee to me) NC.
We in vero beach fla want a white castle.with all the people here from bklyn.queens.etc and growing it will cover several counties and a lot of people.go to orlando. For a wc..how about it.
Hey White Castle!!!! please come to Northeastern Pennsylvania!!!!! Thank you!!!
Did you know that March 10th will mark the 101st Anniversary of White Castle?. Bill Ingram and Walt Anderson opened their first store in Wichita, Kansas with only $700 dollars on March 10th, 1921. It became the first national fast food hamburger chain. The original price was only 5 cents. In the early 1960’s, my parents would take me to the Kitty City Amusement Park which was just west of today’s Alley Pond Golf Center on Northern Blvd. Our next stop would be the Bayside White Castle on the corner of Bell and Northern Blvd. It was originally opened in 1932 and is still in business today. Even in the 1960’s, there was no seating area, just one long counter. It was a simple menu offering seven cents burgers or fourteen cents for a double slider, french fries and soda at low cost.. As I got older, White Castle would become a late night stop for a quick snack before going home. Prior to my 1997 wedding, Frank Sinatra was quoted in GQ Magazine saying he would always have White Castle hamburgers flown in to any performances in Las Vegas. My wife and I decided to honor the “Chairman of the Board” and had 200 sliders delivered to the Sky Line Princess in Flushing as part of our wedding reception. Every Valentines Day, they offer a special menu and treat for customers.
Today White Castle faces many other competitors such as McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys, Five Guys, Checkers, Hardees, Roy Rogers, Sonic, Shake Shack, Smash Burger and others. For me, nothing beats a half dozen White Castle Hamburgers topped with cheese, extra onions and pickles!
Larry Penner
Half a dozen is an appetizer.
I have lived White Castle for many years. When living in Fayetteville, AR, I looked forward to a trip to Kansas City…would stop at a WC right off the interstate in the city. It eventually closed. None in Arkansas nor Texas where I now live. Last time I had a WC was in IIndianapolis 10 years ago. My wife buys the sliders at our grocery…just not the same!!!!
We need a white castle in grand rapids mi, it’s a big college town plus the medical mile, you would do very well here
It’s terrible news. Why?..Growing up I frequented this WC regularly…Now i bring g my family here though i moved further away…So sad to hear that’s closing…I
My brother got food poisoning there in the 70’s
What’s the reason for closing?
Why?
Why is it closing ?
I think the bigger question is: “Why aren’t they opening”….opening new locations all over the country (and probably the world) that have begged with open arms for decades to have a White Castle in their towns and cities? I have never read a reply from White Castle as to why this has not been addressed, even though there seems to be plenty of support that new locations would thrive in areas that have many people that have relocated from northern cities that hadWhite Castles and miss them. The frozen store bought Castles just don’t hack it. I ask, we ask and everybody asks…WHY WHY WHY can’t we have a White Castle in Texas…California…Florida…and lots of other places too? Why!?!? Well White Castle? W…H…Y…?
This is a very sad. I’ve been going through that takeout window for over 25 years. Jackson Heights had changed and not so much for the better. More about the high cost of living that’s unaffordable to many residents. The same for Wendy’s that was replaced with a bank. They’ll be missed so much.
This is truly a SIN!