Gone, but not forgotten: Binghamton restaurant closures since the start of the pandemic

Tom Passmore, Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
·4 min read

Without warning some of our favorite restaurants in the Binghamton area have closed their doors since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some are due to the pandemic and others have closed for unknown reasons. There are some, however, that have made a comeback in forms of different eateries for us to enjoy.

In no particular order, here's a look at restaurants that we said goodbye to since the start of the pandemic in the Binghamton area.

If you know of a restaurant that recently closed its doors that we missed, email tpassmore@gannett.com

Czech Pleeze

223 Robinson St., Binghamton

Czech Pleeze closed its doors in April 5, 2021, nine years after opening in 2012.

The restaurant featured Czechoslovakian home made goods like holupki, pierogi and city chicken. The sides of spicy macaroni and cheese and haluski were also a favorite.

Owner Dan McLarney posted on Facebook in April that the restaurant closed.

If you're craving some of Czech Pleeze's specials, MR. Wake-N-Bake Sweets and Eats, a bakery opened by McLarney's son, Roman Mclarney, and his friend, Michael Tedeschi, serves pierogis, halupki and city chicken as well as sweet treats.

The Red Robin Diner in Johnson City in 2008.
The Red Robin Diner in Johnson City in 2008.

Red Robin Diner

268 Main St., Johnson City

This fixture in the heart of Johnson City ceased operations on Jan. 26, 2021 after being in the village since 1959.

The old-fashioned diner, known for its homemade breakfast, soups and desserts, closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Owner Jon Bowie opened up a new restaurant with the same themes, under the name Rockin' Red Robin in Binghamton.

More on Rockin' Red Robin: Follow a diner's journey from Binghamton, to JC, to Hillcrest

Food Fusion Bar & Grill, 737 W Main St., Endicott, closed in 2021.
Food Fusion Bar & Grill, 737 W Main St., Endicott, closed in 2021.

Food Fusion

737 W Main St., Endicott

Food Fusion was a casual dining bar and grill with a menu that drew from many different inspirations and cultures in Endicott. Some dishes at the restaurant included prime rib soup, scallops, linguini fra diavolo, calamari, clams, lobster, shrimp and truffle fries.

The restaurant opened in 2016, taking over the space previously housed by Russell's steak and seafood house. Food Fusion closed in 2021.

The owners of Waterman's Distillery in Apalachin are moving their operation to Florida.
The owners of Waterman's Distillery in Apalachin are moving their operation to Florida.

Waterman's Distillery

6172 Route 434, Apalachin

After opening in April 2018, the distillery quickly became a top destination due to its all-natural spirits made from Finger Lakes corn. Their nine uniquely flavored whiskeys include jalapeno ginger, blood orange, lemon, mocha, and salted caramel maple, all sourced from 90% New York state ingredients. The distillery closed in August 2021.

Owner Michelle Allig said the couple was just looking at opportunities to move the business.

"We've been looking at the opportunities in Florida and to be able to open a large location among a vibrant tourist area was appealing to us."

This fall, Waterman's Cafe and Tasting Barn opened at the same location.

Sharkey's Bar & Grill in Binghamton's Frist Ward will close after 73 years.
Sharkey's Bar & Grill in Binghamton's Frist Ward will close after 73 years.

Sharkey's

56 Glenwood Ave., Binghamton

The iconic restaurant shut down in November 2020 after 73 years in Binghamton.

Sharkey's specialized in spiedies, boasting on its Facebook page that while other upstate New York restaurants sell them and you can even buy spiedie meat in supermarkets in and around Binghamton, if you wanted to eat the best, in a proper neighborhood setting, this family-run tavern was the place to go.

The restaurant closed its doors due to the owners retiring.

More on Sharkey's: Famous for spiedies and atmosphere, restaurant to close after 73 years in Binghamton

Peter Kapogiannatos, whose family owns the Red Oak Restaurant & Diner at 305 Front St., said the Front Street Gateway project will be good for the area in the long term.
Peter Kapogiannatos, whose family owns the Red Oak Restaurant & Diner at 305 Front St., said the Front Street Gateway project will be good for the area in the long term.

Red Oak Diner

305 Front St., Binghamton

The Red Oak Restaurant & Diner closed in October 2020 after nearly 35 years in the business.

The closing of the diner, owned by the Kapogiannatos family, was announced in a Facebook post, citing the challenges small businesses faced in 2020.

"That is why, at this time we have decided to retire and lock the doors of the Red Oak for the last time," the post read. "We have had a great run for nearly 35 years and met so many wonderful people along the way."

The Loft at 99

99 Court St., Binghamton

The Loft at 99, a restaurant and bar with a New York City feel, closed in 2020 after seven years in business.

The Loft 99, which opened in 2013, was open for dinner and brunch, and served meals with unique touches, from custom-made ketchup with curri to custom-flavored vodkas and handmade pasta.

Owner Michael Bunker is now executive chef at The River Bistro & Lounge located inside the DoubleTree by Hilton Binghamton.

Follow Tom Passmore on Twitter @TheLeaderPass. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton restaurants 2021: 7 spots we've lost since the pandemic