The following is an extended and updated version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.

The National Restaurant & Coffee Shop, located at 8 Bedford Park Blvd in Bedford Park has shuttered according to a notice seen by Norwood News in its window on May 27, and as previously advised by Norwood resident and nearby Lehman College Professor Eileen Markey. Yet, there is some hope that the long-established restaurant can be saved.

 

The notice reads, “After 43 incredible years of serving this community, it is with a heavy heart that we officially say goodbye to our beloved neighborhood diner. The decision did not come easily. Over the years, we’ve weathered many changes together, shifts in the neighborhood, rising costs, and the challenges of staying small and local in a rapidly changing world.”

 

It continues, “Most recently, a gas leak forced us to shut our doors temporarily. Unfortunately, delays in inspection and approval made it impossible for us to reopen in a timely and sustainable way. That became the final hurdle we could not overcome. We want to express our deepest gratitude for your support over the decades. You celebrated birthdays, graduations, first dates, and everyday meals with us. Your stories, smiles and loyalty are what made this place feel like home.”

 

It concludes, “While this chapter closes, we’re not going far. We’re still here for you just across the street at Bedford Café. We’d be honored to continue serving you there, with the same care, heart and good food that defined our diner for nearly five decades.” It was signed, “With appreciation, National Restaurant & Coffee Shop, The Management”

 

We spoke to a manager at Bedford Café, located on the opposite side of Bedford Park Boulevard on the corner of Jerome Avenue on May 27, who said it was the same owner who owned both diners and requested a comment. We will share any updates we receive.

 

We also reached out to Con Ed for comment. A spokesperson responded on May 29, saying, “We shut off gas service to National Restaurant in the Bronx in February because of a leak on one of their internal gas pipes. We’ve reached out to the plumber and have not heard back.”

 

It continued, “Ensuring swift, proper and accurate repair of gas leaks is crucial to maintaining public safety. Here’s our website that outlines the process.” We also reached out to Kingsbridge Business Improvement District for comment and will share any feedback we receive.

 

We also reached out to Councilman Dinowitz who said his office had not been contacted about the closure. He said he was saddened to hear the news and recalled frequenting the restaurant as a customer on occasion.

On Friday, May 30, we received the following update from Con Edison, “I’ve got an update on National Restaurant. We are doing our best to perform the turn-on as soon as possible. Their plumber was waiting for approval from the DOB [NYC Department of Buildings] before scheduling the final inspection. We have now received the final documents and will proceed with the final inspection scheduled on June 3 and move forward with the turn-on process promptly.”

 

We don’t know if this means the restaurant can be reopened but we will share any feedback we receive from the owner. We tried to reach the owner again on May 30 but were unsuccessful.

 

The neighborhood has seen a number of commercial closures of long-established premises in recent years, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maddens Pub was one such casualty. Though a number of newer eateries have since opened on the block, traditional diners where older adults tend to frequent to have a coffee and a chat are few and far between.

 

During Bronx Week 2025, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson hosted a special event for the borough’s centenarians and seniors. She paid tribute to those described as Bronx “trailblazers and pioneers” who have reached the remarkable milestone of 95 years or older and who have “paved the way for future generations through their resilience, leadership, and contributions to the borough’s rich history.”

 

As part of the celebration, Gibson renewed her call for all levels of government to increase funding and support for programs serving older adults. She said this advocacy comes in light of a recent report from the Center for an Urban Future, which reveals that more older New Yorkers are living in poverty than ever before, many without retirement savings, and some even returning to the workforce to make ends meet.

 

On Dec. 19, 2024, in response to the growing threat of predatory online reservation platforms, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the first-in-the-nation “Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act,” described as a “landmark piece of legislation designed to protect small businesses and consumers from exploitation in the online restaurant reservation marketplace.”

The Act came in the wake of what State officials said was a dramatic increase in predatory, third-party reservation platforms that have been flooding the market. They said these “unethical practices” have forced many diners to turn to a blackmarket for reservations, while leaving restaurant owners with diminished sales, increased no-show rates, and unreliable guest counts.

 

The new law prohibits such predatory practices and establishes clear rules for third-party reservation platforms, State officials said. Under the Act, such platforms must enter into a written agreement with restaurants before they can list or sell reservations through their websites, mobile apps, or other platforms.

State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez (S.D. 36), who represents parts of the East Bronx and who was a cosponsor of the bill, said, “This legislation protects New York’s restaurant owners and their customers by putting an end to predatory practices that exploit the reservation process. This law targets unauthorized resellers who cause chaos for restaurants with last-minute cancellations and no-shows, leaving tables empty and hardworking staff without tips. For New York’s vibrant dining scene and small business owners, this measure ensures fairness and reliability, allowing them to serve their guests without disruption.”

 

Meanwhile, Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, thanked legislators for the law and said, “Restaurant owners and their teams put in countless hours to craft exceptional dining experiences, and for many, their commitment has resulted in high-demand tables and packed houses every night. Unfortunately, AI bots have exploited their hard work by hoarding these coveted reservations and selling them for a profit, all without the knowledge of the restaurant.”

 

She added, “This has led to increasing ‘no-show’ rates at many establishments which has a cascading impact on restaurants. Food and beverage orders, employee schedules, and many other aspects of a restaurant rely on accurately predicting how many customers will show on a given night. These ‘bots’ have wreaked havoc on operations, and I am proud to say that New York is the first state in the country to take meaningful action to address this problem.” 

 

For some somewhat related coverage, click here.

 

Editor’s Note: The National Restaurant & Coffee Shop is incorrectly referenced as “The International” in our latest print edition. We apologize for this error.