NYC’s Iconic Carnegie Deli Closing

New York’s iconic Carnegie Deli will shutter at the end of the year after decades of serving famous corned beef sandwiches. Dec. 31 will be the last official day in business for the restaurant at the corner of Seventh Avenue and West 55^th Street.

“As you all know, the restaurant business is one of the hardest jobs in New York City,” Marian Harper, president and owner, wrote. “At this stage of my life, the early morning to late night days have taken a toll, along with my sleepless nights and grueling hours that come with operating a restaurant business in Manhattan. I’m very sad to close Carnegie Deli New York at 854 Seventh Ave., but I’ve reached a time in my life when I need to take a step back.”

Harper’s family has owned the deli for 40 years, after Harper’s father purchased the deli from the original owners in 1976.

The company said Harper “will dedicate and focus her time on licensing the iconic Carnegie Deli brand and sell Carnegie Deli’s world-famous products for wholesale distribution … to keep the Carnegie legacy alive.”

Many celebrities have visited the deli over the years, including Denzel Washington, James Brown and former President Bill Clinton.