Ballston Spa's Route 50 Diner appears closed for good

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Route 50 Diner, located at 2002 Doubleday Avenue in Ballston Spa, appears to have permanently closed. The diner had been shut down by the state twice over the past year due to unpaid taxes and health code violations.

The diner is listed as permanently closed on Google, but is still listed as open on the Route 50 Diner Facebook page. The last Facebook post from the diner was on November 9.

Multiple calls made to the diner during its listed operating hours have gone to voicemail. Route 50 Diner owner Brian Hyra has not responded to NEWS10's calls and messages.

Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi Jr. sent this statement to NEWS10 when asked about the closure.

It was a surprise to hear this today. It’s a sad day, as the original owner, Walter, set a standard in our area for giving back to our community constantly. While his family followed in his footsteps after his untimely passing, the challenges they faced in operating the diner were clear. Route 50 Diner will be missed by many locally. Mayor Frank Rossi Jr.

In December 2023, Route 50 Diner was seized by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance due to nonpayment of taxes. The diner was able to reopen a few days later as Hyra had paid the taxes.

At the end of May, the diner was shut down again, this time by the New York State Department of Health for a cockroach issue. The diner was able to reopen a few days later on June 5.

Route 50 Diner was known for helping veterans in the community. The executive director of Veterans & Community Housing Coalition previously told NEWS10 that the diner helped feed over 700 homeless veterans for nearly a decade.