Gilley’s Diner is a Portsmouth tradition. (Photo by Olivia Falcigno, Seacoastonline)
Developer Mark McNabb and his company, One Market Square, have reached an agreement to buy Gilley’s Diner and the property it sits on, according to Marie Bodi, the chief executive officer of McNabb Properties.
Bodi confirmed Thursday the property and business have been “placed under a (confidential) purchase agreement with One Market Square for an early 2025 close.”
She added, “It is our intent to continue the iconic operations of Gilley’s Diner on the site for the foreseeable future. “However, we do not have any true specifics to share at this time.” Bodi provided the statement Thursday in response to a request for comment from Seacoastonline and the Portsmouth Herald.
Bodi explained “conversations with the Kennedy family began earlier this month,” before the purchase agreement was reached.
The Kennedy family have for decades owned the Gilley’s site on Fleet Street. The family operates the well-known diner next to the High-Hanover parking garage, serving hot dogs, hamburgers and fries, often to late-night customers.
Gina Kennedy, current owner of Gilley’s, was contacted for this story and declined to comment.
Bodi’s comments came after a majority of the City Council approved a land swap with McNabb this week, but not before Mayor Deaglan McEachern raised concerns about the developer’s purchase of the iconic Gilley’s Diner property.
To read the full story, visit Seacoastonline.
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