After almost 21 years in DeKalb, Around the Clock Diner has closed, and Thirsty Liquors is looking to take over the property.

Nick Tsiftilis, owner of the liquor store at 930 Pappas Drive, said it is too early for him to comment on the process.

The city has scheduled a hearing on the move before the plan commission for Wednesday.

Jerry Diaz, former manager of the diner, said name rights among other things led to the closure.

“Between the time that we got involved with the business, in terms of buying the rights to the license or to the name, the property had actually changed hands twice,” Diaz said. “There seemed to be some discrepancy in terms of what was provided for the tenants in the event that the landlord wanted to sell the property.”

The restaurant was originally built in 1970 for the Hardee’s corporation, Diaz said.

Diaz said he hopes to open a new restaurant in DeKalb sometime soon, but a lease agreement for possible locations would have to be reached first.

“We had a considerable following of faithful customers; that’s something we would hate to lose,” Diaz said. “In the event that we could relocate or re-open for business – in the name Around the Clock or not – we would continue to serve the public that chose to visit us at our establishment and reestablish the clientele that we once had.”

Dave Bragg, a junior pre-physical therapy major, said he’ll miss the diner.

“It was fun,” he said. “We usually would go around 4 or 5 a.m.”

Around the Clock was voted “best late night eatery” and server of the “best French toast” in the Northern Star Best of DeKalb 2004.

Diaz thanked his regular customers and the crew that made it possible to stay open all night.

“Having to close was not an easy thing for us to do – including all of us in management,” Diaz said.

He said 24 employees lost their jobs when the restaurant closed May 30.

“We were continually visited by alumni of NIU who would come and tell us how they used to eat there when they were students,” Diaz said. “I think that even though the restaurant is closed for business right now, it’s going to be a restaurant that will live on in the memories of many, many people.”