Diner in Saratoga County Suddenly Closes Just Weeks Before Xmas

Diner in Saratoga County Suddenly Closes

A popular diner in Saratoga County, known in the area for their homecooked meals, comfort food, and also for helping out US Veterans, has suddenly closed.

Just three weeks before Christmas, the Route 50 Diner on Doubleday Ave, Ballston Spa, NY has closed.  One of the first reports of the sudden closing came from a Saratoga County resident named Laurette Carlson Loucks. 

Loucks wrote on a Facebook page that she went there Tuesday morning for some breakfast, only to find an empty parking lot and a note on the door saying that the property had been "seized".

Property Seized

According to the Daily Gazette, the property was seized because of a history of nonpayment of taxes which totaled over $40,000.

"Orange signs on the doors Tuesday evening said, "This property has been seized for nonpayment of taxes, and is now in the possession of the state of New York." The Daily Gazette

Did So Much for the Community

The Daily Gazette reached out to the Mayor of Saratoga Springs,  who told them through text that he was disheartened by the announcement.

“I’m saddened by the sudden and unexpected closing of the Route 50 Diner...Walter [Hayer] and his family did so much for this community when he was still with us, including our active military, veterans, and his employees."

According to the Gazette, Walter Hayer opened the Route 50 Diner in September 2017 and ran it until his death in October 2021.

Three Weeks Before Xmas

The closing of the Route 50 Diner comes just a few weeks before Christmas, and as you can imagine, workers are heartbroken.  A woman who works there named Ashley created a GoFundMe page to help out staff members affected by the news.