Benash Delicatessen, the last of the three big Theater District Jewish #delicatessens recently closed its doors after 28 years in business

The iconic Carnegie Delicatessen closed after 79 years in business in 2016 and Stage Deli closed after 75 years in business in 2012. Benash closed its doors after failing to pay rent (they owed $850,000 in back rent and real estate taxes). When they initially signed their lease, rent was set at $50,000 a month plus real estate taxes and water bills. In our 20+ years of documenting mom-and-pop stores and restaurants, the most common reason why places close, is due to a high rent increase.