I talked today to Jim Rowenhorst, owner of the Metro Diner at 3001 E. 11th St. in Tulsa, which is closing and will be eventually demolished to make way for a new University of Tulsa entrance.
The diner is closing after the regular 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift on Nov. 26. The restaurant equipment will be sold at auction at 2 p.m. Dec. 12, and the decor will be auctioned at 4 p.m. that day.
Rowenhorst confirmed he had “recently” accepted a buyout offer from TU for his business. The Metro Diner will not be moved, as he’d initially hoped. He leases the land on which the diner sits; the land owner reportedly had accepted an $800,000 buyout months ago.
Asked about the buyout for his business, Rowenhorst refused to elaborate on the actual total but said it “wasn’t close” to what he wanted, “less than half what I paid for the business.”
Rowenhorst was in the middle of a long-term lease. He was asked why he didn’t hold the landowner to the terms of the agreement as leverage for a higher settlement from TU. Rowenhorst paused, then said, “I was tired of fighting it, I guess, and the prospects of getting anything (an offer) better didn’t look good.”
One thing that Rowenhorst won’t auction is the Metro’s famous neon sign (shown above). He wants a noncommercial entity to have it, such as a museum, although he admits its large size will be a hurdle.
“I’d rather give it away than sell it for nothing,” he said.
Parties who are interested in giving the sign a new home can call Rowenhorst at 918-269-0649.
While a fan of further education, I find it discouraging that a historical landmark must be completely obliterated to provide an access road to the university. Such is the burden of the ever-powerful dollar. I hope they leave me time enough to snap a photo.