Katz's Deli Sells Air Rights, Is Staying Put

New York City's beloved Katz's Deli — which lies in the midst of a significant amount of new real estate development — has announced that it is selling its air rights (the empty space above its one-story structure), reports The Lo Down. With rumors swirling that recent development might require Katz's to move, co-owner Jake Dell went on the record to say that Katz's is not closing, and will "not be closed for a single day." While Dell did not say if the building Katz's occupies is itself for sale, he did release this statement:

The most important thing is that the future of Katz's is secure — at the end of the day, no developer can ever come in and knock us down to put in a high rise. At no point will anyone value the corner of Houston and Ludlow for anything other than Katz's Delicatessen. A year after our 125th anniversary, this will help ensure that we can see our 150th, and hopefully many more to come.

· Breaking: Katz's Deli Makes a Deal to Sell Air Rights [The Lo Down via Eater NY]
· All Coverage of Katz's Deli on Eater [-E-]