For the last 60 years, Standee's Snack 'N Dine in Edgewater has been open almost continuously -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -- offering heaping breakfasts and midnight meals to North Side residents and college kids. But at 6 a.m. today, the longstanding greasy-spoon establishment turned off its iconic 50s-style sign, unplugged the grill and deep fryers, and shut its doors.

For the first time in decades, Standee's, at 1133 West Granville Avenue, was closed for business.

"It's going to be totally weird to not see Standee's here anymore," said Jim Twist, who has been eating at the diner for more than 40 years. "It's really sad."

Despite a petition signed by more than 600 customers and a "Save Standees" Facebook page created by local college students, the lease was not renewed, according to restaurant operator Adolfo Suastegui.

But Suastegui said that a Standee's-less Edgewater would only be temporary. Suastegui, who has owned Standee's for about 11 years, said he plans to re-open the restaurant around March just a few storefronts down the street.

"I didn't want to leave here," Suastegui said. "But the new place will have the same food, same hours and same people."

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