Ballston Spa's Route 50 Diner closed by state, working to reopen

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Route 50 Diner, located at 2002 Doubleday Avenue (Route 50) in Ballston Spa, has been shut down by the New York State Department of Health. According to a post on the Route 50 Diner Facebook page, they have been closed since May 30 and are working to reopen.

According to the Department of Health inspection from May 30, the inspector closed the diner due to a cockroach issue. Route 50 Diner owner Brian Hyra is working with Thomas Pest Services to fix the issue.

"The owner/operator did state that he reached out to Thomas Pest Services for ongoing treatment," said the inspection report. "Inspector spoke with a Thomas Pest Services representative and the representative stated they will send the owner/operator a schedule to mitigate the cockroach issue throughout the facility."

"We are doing the best we can to reopen," said the Route 50 Diner on Facebook. "Much of the staff has been there the last two and a half days trying to comply and do what we need to do to reopen. We are dealing with what most restaurants deal with."

Before Route 50 Diner can reopen, the inspection report said Hyra must provide receipts showing the extermination was performed and the facility is pest-free. The diner must also have a contract with the pest company to perform preventative maintenance for the next six months. A pre-operational inspection must also be done.

In December, Route 50 Diner was seized by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for unpaid taxes. The diner was able to reopen a few days later after the taxes were paid.

The Route 50 Diner is known for its work with local veterans and providing food to the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition. "We are here for the public. We're here for veterans," said the diner on Facebook. "We're here for everyday customers who depend on us who have now been four days probably without a decent meal. Not only that, there are staff with children that depend on this to feed their families. We want to be there."