PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Ocean State’s first-ever New York System restaurant is on the verge of serving its last hot wiener.
Baba’s Original New York System on Smith Street first opened back in 1927. Taner Toprak tells 12 News his historic hot wiener joint hasn’t been as bustling as it used to be.
“We’re struggling right now,” Toprak said. The financial strain on his business was first reported by The Boston Globe .
Toprak said his dining room used to be full of customers enjoying hot wieners “all the way” with French fries and a glass of coffee milk.
Now, Toprak said he’s lucky if he sees a handful of customers each day.
“I always ask myself, ‘Is there something I’m doing wrong?’” Toprak said. “I haven’t changed anything. The food is the same quality and we make the same hot wieners. Everything is the same.”
Toprak believes the sharp increase in cost of living is partially to blame.
“Most people [in this neighborhood] live paycheck to paycheck,” Toprak said. “So now, the people who came in three to four times a week only come once a week. I don’t blame them. It’s tough.”