Lupo’s S&S Char Pit Closure: Owners Contemplate New Direction

As Binghamton-area spiedie lovers express disappointment by the sudden shutdown of Lupo's S&S Char Pit, the operators of the business are evaluating their options for the property.

During a live radio interview Wednesday, Steve Lupo told WNBF News: "There's certainly nothing good about closing a business or a restaurant."

The landmark Char Pit closed its doors without warning Sunday evening, shocking loyal customers and out-of-state fans who looked forward to visiting the restaurant when they visited Binghamton.

Lupo said the company's wholesale meat business which operates a processing plant in West Endicott continues to be "great." But he said "we are trying to decide if we'll stay in retail with the restaurant."

The S&S Char Pit opened in a former Dairy Queen restaurant building on West State Street in 1978.

Lupo said a lot of thought was given before the closing but, he said, "Sunday was our last day." He said consideration had been given to downsizing or developing a takeout operation.

Lupo added: "We did look at some smaller locations in the area" but no suitable site had been found. The owners also had considered operating a smaller business on West State Street.

Lupo said there no longer is "the daily drive-by traffic that you kind of need for a restaurant like ours."

Now that the restaurant is closed, Lupo said he has more time to consider the future and weigh various options. He isn't ruling out resuming a retail spiedie business but he said "if we did something, it would be a smaller operation."

Lupo noted the wholesale and mail order business are continuing. He said: "We're certainly not going anywhere. We're just getting stronger in a different direction."

LISTEN: Steve Lupo was interviewed on News Radio WNBF on January 18, 2023.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.