Popular Glendora Restaurant Kitchen 519 Closes After 10 Years

New concept set to take over the space, owners to focus on catering and other location

Jan. 28, 2026 at 3:47pm

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Kitchen 519, a popular restaurant in Glendora, New Jersey that had been operating for over 10 years, has permanently closed. The restaurant, known for its scratch kitchen and locally-sourced ingredients, announced the closure on social media. Co-owners John Stewart and Diana Smarrito have sold the restaurant, and a new concept is set to take over the space. The owners cited a desire to spend more time with family as a factor in their decision to sell the restaurant.

Why it matters

The closure of Kitchen 519 marks the end of an era for the Glendora community, which had come to rely on the restaurant as a gathering place and neighborhood spot. The new incoming concept will likely bring changes to the space and dining options in the area.

The details

Kitchen 519 had operated for more than 10 years, offering a scratch kitchen that sourced ingredients from local sources. The co-owners, John Stewart and Diana Smarrito, sold the restaurant to a buyer who wanted to complete the sale earlier than expected. Stewart, the restaurant's head chef, said they re-evaluated their business and personal wants and decided to sell in January, earlier than their planned February closure. The owners were previously pursuing funding to stay afloat, but the process was delayed during the federal government shutdown a few months ago.

  • Kitchen 519 had operated for more than 10 years.
  • The restaurant announced its permanent closure on social media on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
  • The owners were planning a February closure but had to sell earlier than expected to the new buyer.

The players

Kitchen 519

A popular restaurant and neighborhood spot in Glendora, New Jersey that had been operating for over 10 years, known for its scratch kitchen and locally-sourced ingredients.

John Stewart

The co-owner and head chef of Kitchen 519.

Diana Smarrito

The co-owner of Kitchen 519.

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What they’re saying

“For over 10 years, Kitchen 519 has been more than a restaurant — it's been a gathering place, a second home, and a space shaped by the people who walked through our doors. We've shared countless meals, celebrations, conversations, and moments with this community, and we are endlessly grateful for every bit of it.”

— Kitchen 519 (Social media announcement)

“We re-evaluated our business and personal wants and decided to sell in January. We were planning on a February close and having a nice sendoff, but our buyer understandably wanted to move quick.”

— John Stewart, Head Chef, Kitchen 519 (Patch)

What’s next

The new incoming concept for the former Kitchen 519 space has not been disclosed, but the owners will continue to offer catering services, and their Philadelphia restaurant, Revival BBQ, remains open.

The takeaway

The closure of Kitchen 519 after over a decade of operation marks the end of an era for the Glendora community, as the restaurant had become a beloved gathering place. While the new incoming concept remains unknown, the owners' decision to sell reflects a shift in their personal and business priorities, highlighting the challenges faced by independent restaurants in the current economic climate.