By Matthew Monks
“It's frustrating each and every day to watch a little bit more of our history being washed away,” said City Councilman Dennis Gallagher (D-Middle Village). “I think that sometimes change isn't always for the good.”Dan Foley's Pub, which was adjacent to Durow's in the same building, also closed its doors. Gallagher said the demise of Durow's, which opened as a German restaurant at 81-01 Myrtle Ave. in the 1930s, represents the hardships facing independent restaurants and bars across the city. The councilman met Tuesday with a coalition of bar and restaurant owners who blamed the city's smoking ban, higher rents and stiff competition for a decline in business. “It's becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet,” Gallagher said.Many owners are finding that it is more profitable to sell or lease their properties for development than to struggle to keep afloat. He said the owner of Durow's, Bridie Keane, who could not be reached for comment, opted to close rather than spend thousands on physical repairs to the aged building.”She was balancing whether or not to make a new capital investment or do something else with the property. After reviewing it, she decided to do something else,” Gallagher said. “We don't know what that something else is at this point.”Niederstein's, which opened in 1854 at 69-16 Metropolitan Ave. across the street from the Lutheran Cemetery, folded among rumors that the building would be razed for a fast food restaurant or condominiums. The new owner, who has yet to be identified, has not made public its plans for the lot, although a Long Island developer wants to erect four, two-family houses on the parking lot across the street from the beloved restaurant. Reach reporter Matthew Monks by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
