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Bendix Diner in Hasbrouck Heights NJ is up for sale: Video
The Bendix Diner is up for sale. John Diakakis’ family has owned the diner since 1985. What he had to say.
- Several national chains, including Rite Aid, Red Robin, and Yankee Candle, closed multiple locations in the state.
- Long-standing local businesses, such as Bendix Diner and DePiero’s Farm Stand, also shut their doors this year.
- Store closures in 2025 outpaced openings by a significant margin, reflecting a challenging year for brick-and-mortar retail.
2025 was a tough year for restaurants and brick-and-mortar retail, given inflation, sluggish rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and President Donald Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs.
Rite Aid closed 33 New Jersey locations this year amid its bankruptcy, At Home closed three New Jersey stores, Pinstripes shuttered its location at the Garden State Plaza in Paramus less than a year after opening, and burger chain Red Robin closed four locations across the state.
And Yankee Candle, with 12 stores in New Jersey, is set to close 20 of its stores across the U.S in the coming months.
Although shoppers spent a record $11.8 billion online taking advantage of Black Friday deals — according to data from Adobe Analytics, which tracks online shopper retail visits — research firm CivicScience found that 38% of those shoppers relied on short-term loan services through buy now, pay later apps such as Klarna.
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Retail analytics firm Coresight Research found that 8,128 stores closed so far in 2025 — 13.2% more than in 2024 — while 5,134 opened so far this year, or 8% fewer than in 2024.
Across New Jersey, businesses large and small have not been immune, including long-cherished local household names.
Here are some bankruptcies and closings that hit hard across New Jersey in 2025.
Bendix Diner, Hasbrouck Heights
The landmark Bendix Diner was shut down in January by the local health department because of an issue with its fire suppression system.
John Diakakis, the owner of the longtime eatery with his two siblings, said he had been trying to fix the system since 2021, but the age and structural condition of the building made it challenging to repair to the standards of the state fire code.
He was told it could cost $100,000 or more to fix.
Condursos Garden Center, Montville
With the 28 acres of Condursos Garden Center up for sale at public auction, Montville residents mourned the closing of Condursos Garden Center in September. The 96-year-old family business covered 28 acres, and residents worried about the possibility of yet another redevelopment project bringing in more residential units or warehouses.
Those fears were put to rest after township officials cast the winning bid of $6 million during a Sept. 17 auction, held outside the front entrance to the River Road property.
Township Administrator June Hercek, who did the actual bidding as the mayor and other township officials stood by, said the plan is to preserve the land “primarily for open-space purposes to be determined.”
DePiero’s Farm Stand and Greenhouses, Montvale
A Bergen county staple for more than a century, DePiero’s closed for good in August. Part of the DePiero’s land was previously sold in 2017 to make way for a Wegmans supermarket
Mayor Mike Ghassali said that because the borough bought the property, choosing “preservation over development,” it will remain a working farm operated by professionals, with room for a community garden and a farm stand.
Music Country Records, Cliffside Park
The oldest record store in New Jersey — some say the country — closed its doors for good in August after opening to the community in 1934.
In addition to vinyl records, the store sold CDs and cassette tapes across a variety of genres.
Music Country’s website said it also sold collectibles and merchandise such as posters and comic books, along with musical instruments and accessories.
Public House 46, Clifton
This popular sports bar and grill in Clifton permanently closed in April after first opening its doors in 2006.
It offered the “ultimate gameday experience” with pub grub, drinks and “unbeatable vibes.”
Stanhope House, Stanhope
This fame blues rock and roll club in an 18th century building closed its doors over the summer.
This abrupt closure comes after previous efforts by owner Jon Klein to sell the property to a developer. The proposed project, which was rejected by the Borough Council in May 2024, would have built 40 or more apartments as well as a commercial space and an underground parking garage.
In recent years, the business has struggled, with declining audiences being exacerbated by COVID. In addition, the site was in need of several repairs including to its roof, basement, plumbing and parking.
Taphouse, Wayne
Known for its wide selection of beer from different New Jersey breweries, the Taphouse — which first opened in December 2010 — closed its doors in April. It had been known as a community spot for local groups like the Wayne Animal Shelter, policemen’s benevolent association and the fire department.
Township Theatre, Washington Township
One of the last remaining independent movie theaters in Bergen County closed over the summer after the shopping center that houses it announced plans to redevelop the space.
In a heartfelt message shared with patrons and the broader Washington Township community, owners Dave and Laura Rose said they made “every effort to negotiate” with the shopping center but were unable to prevent the closure.
Townsquare Diner, Wharton
A family-owned diner on Route 15 that had been serving “love and comfort food” since 1987 closed in October with plans to be replaced by a strip mall.
Townsquare Diner owner Peter Sedereas, writing in an op-ed for NJ.com in 2021, said the pandemic forced diners and restaurants to adapt, in part by accommodating takeout and delivery customers. But hiring staff remained an issue.
The diner’s business was also impacted earlier this year by a lengthy closure of Route 80 due to a series of sinkholes that detoured interstate traffic through downtown Wharton for months. Gov. Phil Murphy and U.S. Rep. Tom Kean visited the restaurant in March during highway repairs while on a tour of the area impacted by the detour.
Vito’s Barber Shop, Carlstadt
After four decades in business, owner Vito Quattrocchi wrote in August that he was closing the barbershop for good, citing high rent that he found hard to keep up with.
The barber has also written several novels about mobsters in North Jersey. He told NorthJersey.com in 2017 that his first love has always been writing.
Daniel Munoz covers business, consumer affairs, labor and the economy for NorthJersey.com and The Record.
Email: munozd@northjersey.com; Twitter:@danielmunoz100; Facebook and Instagram
