Thank you for being a friend, NYC! A Golden Girls–themed restaurant is reportedly set to open in uptown Manhattan in early September. Michael J. LaRue, a longtime resident of Washington Heights, plans to open Rue La Rue Café to honor the late Rue McClanahan, his close friend who played Blanche Devereaux on the beloved, Emmy-winning NBC sitcom.
The uptown café — which will be located at 4396 Broadway between 187th and 188th Streets — will serve soups, wraps, salads, desserts, baked treats and wine. LaRue said he plans to decorate the restaurant with some of McClanahan’s
“personal belongings and show business memorabilia”
he inherited after her death in June 2010. He is the executor of the late actress’ estate and the administrator of her will. Michael has also lined up Betty White to attend the grand opening. The 94-year-old actress is of course, the only surviving Golden Girl.
“I believe I can turn this place into a mini-tourist [hub] in Washington Heights. I believe the neighborhood is going to support this. I believe the population exists here already.”
The café will also sell its own Golden Girls merch, after securing permission to use images from the TV series from Disney.
In the meantime, check out the tons of (unauthorized) GG merch you can get now on Etsy.