New Yorkers can let a sigh of relief out as news just broke that the legendary Papaya King has been saved from closure after finding a relocation site, shared Eater.
For awhile there, the hot dog haven, most known for their unlikely but now beloved tropical juice and beef pairing, was threatening to close up shop after Extell Developments filed demolition plans last summer.
Though the demolition of the nearly century-old Papaya King location will still occur, the iconic institution will move just a stones throw away to continue providing hot dogs to hungry customers, according to Upper East Site who got the exclusive.
Therefore, the new location will remain in the neighborhood (Upper East Side) but rather move off of the corner and to 1535 Third Avenue, between East 86th and 87th streets instead.
Yellow walls and murals dedicated to food brands that appeared around the same year Papaya King opened (1932) decorates the new space, wrote Upper East Site. Other visuals like old imagery of the original Papaya King adds to the venue’s nostalgia.
However, with their Instagram inactive for nearly three years and their website still down, it’s hard to tell when the new location will open. Yet, according to the New York Times, customers might be able to order their favorite combo within the next two weeks!
Papaya King had previously faced another closure scare in 2020 when Imperial Sterling, the shop’s former landlord, sued Papaya King for operating after a terminated lease.
The notorious joint is even responsible for replicates like Gray’s Papaya, Chelsea Papaya, Papaya Heaven and Papaya Place that you’ll see around the city. But if you want to try from the spot where they all stemmed from, you’ll have to head to the Upper East Side and check out the new location as soon as it opens.