Closing Bell: Why Tom's Restaurant Didn't Flee Prospect Heights in the Early '60s
When other neighborhood businesses were closing up shop in the early ’60s due to changing racial demographics and civil unrest, Tom’s Restaurant chose to stay in Prospect Heights where it had been since 1936. Listen to owner Gus Vlahavus explain why in this mini-documentary about the restaurant. The episode is one of the first in a new…

When other neighborhood businesses were closing up shop in the early ’60s due to changing racial demographics and civil unrest, Tom’s Restaurant chose to stay in Prospect Heights where it had been since 1936. Listen to owner Gus Vlahavus explain why in this mini-documentary about the restaurant.
The episode is one of the first in a new series on NYC Media (Channel 25) called “Neighborhood Slice” about New York City neighborhoods as seen through the eyes of those who have lived in them the longest. Upcoming episodes will focus on Crown Heights, Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens and Williamsburg.
Screenshot via NYC Media
I always wondered if that was just an urban legend. So glad that it’s not.