STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. —The Colonnade Diner’s announcement that it will resume round-the-clock operations starting Oct. 1 has generated an extraordinary response from Staten Islanders, with a post about the news on the Advance/SILive.com Instagram account receiving more than 5,000 likes and hundreds of comments.

The overwhelming reaction centers around 90-year-old owner Markos “Mike” Platis, who opened the diner in 1975 and continues to personally greet guests. When Platis remarked, “Nobody appreciates what I do anymore,” it prompted an outpouring of appreciation from longtime patrons who flooded social media with memories and gratitude.

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Staten Islanders shared nostalgic recollections of late-night m

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