Favorite West Palm Beach diner on notice, must relocate after 40 years

• Nick's 50s Diner in West Palm Beach must find a new location as its lease will not be renewed.
• Owner Alyssa Cannon is actively searching for a new space and is determined to remain in West Palm Beach.

After four decades in the same location on Okeechobee Boulevard near Interstate 95, Nick's 50s Diner is in search of new place to call home.

Owner and operator Alyssa Cannon, who has been working at the beloved West Palm Beach restaurant since her dad Nick opened it in 1986, said she was recently informed by the landlord that he won't be renewing their lease.

Though it may feel like a gut punch to all who have enjoyed breakfast specials like their Wake & Bake Quesadilla and Hangover Deluxe or lunch and dinner classics like their popular tuna melts and meatloaf, their lease is not up right away — they have until May 2028.

A two-year time line for Nick's 50s Diner

Cannon said that her landlord at Palm Beach Marketplace didn't give her reason. Though such news could've triggered some bitterness, Cannon took the high road. "He was nice enough to give me two years. I know a lot of landlords out there that surprise their tenants and give them only six months."

She said her relationship with her landlord is amicable and she's grateful for the full two years, but that it was not enough soften the blow.

"When he first told me, yes, I was absolutely devastated. I thought this was going to be my forever home. It never ever crossed my mind that I would have to look for another location."

Regrouping and focusing on her faith, Cannon said "this is going to be where one door closes another door opens."

Wasting no time and knowing what a monumental task it can be to move a restaurant, Cannon is already on the hunt for new location and is determined to stay in West Palm Beach.

"I have an established customer base of 40 years. Yes, I do get a ton of people that drive to me from Palm Beach Gardens, Boca, Delray, but my core customer base has been in West Palm Beach," she said.

She said she has many customers that have been regulars not for years, but for decades.

"I had a lady tell me the other day she had her daughter's 16th birthday here and her daughter is getting ready to turn 50… I'm so blessed, that's the kind of regulars I have."

Nick's reputation has also drawn celebrities. In 2017, the diner played host to tennis star Serena William's star-powered baby shower, "with celebs Eva Longoria, Ciara, Lala Anthony, Angela Beyince and Kelly Rowland and about 75 more of Serena’s closest friends, not to mention big sister Venus," the Palm Beach Post reported at the time.

Cannon doesn't want to leave any customers behind, but she said she also wants to stay in the area for her staff.

"My one server Wendy has worked for me for over 20 years. My one busgirl Lenny has worked for me for 17 years."

Diner seeks new home

"I need to make this transition has smooth and quick as possible."

Cannon said she is working with a commercial real estate broker to find a new home and that many of her longtime customers have even been suggesting different locations.

"I've had so many of my customers come to me with possible locations. It's great because some of these places I never even thought of… it's actually been like a community project so far trying to find our new home," she said.

Cannon says that not continuing is not an option.

"I love what I do, I have no intention of retiring any time soon." She said she hopes to eventually hand the business off to her daughter who's currently in college studying business.

"I'm doing it for me, but also for her. So she can carry the torch"

Nick's To Go, West Palm Beach

The fast-casual sister restaurant to Nick's Diner closed its doors in December following a two-year run.

Nick's To Go was located just around the corner from the diner and featured a completely different menu that included lattes, espresso, cortado, cold brew and more; fun and healthy smoothies; house made bagels; breakfast sandwiches; lunch wraps and much more.

Her first foray into fast casual, Cannon said it "... was always a temporary location for me to test out the concept."

She said it was a very well received and very popular.

"It was amazing! In the two years we were open, the loyal following we got was amazing. Such positive feedback."

Cannon said she's been in contact with officials at Palm Beach International Airport and would love to reopen Nick's To Go in the new terminal.

"I'm actually still actively trying to get Nick's To Go in the airport. I've just been talking to the right people, letting them know that... my concept would be perfect for the airport." "I feel like it would excel."

Nick's 50s Diner, West Palm Beach

Where: 1900 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach

Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday (dinner hours 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday during season from Oct. 1 to May 1)

Information: nicks50diner.com

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.