We remember when Second and Market was the home to the sleepiest little diner rivalry around: when the Continental Restaurant was the Continental Diner, squaring off against the Snow White. Then 1995 happened. Recently bought-out concert promoter Stephen Starr cast his gaze on the corner, opened the first of what would be many Philly eateries and spurred a sea-change that would see Old City morph from dingy historical curiosity into weekend magnet for martini-sipping faux-sophisticates, cop-thumping pro athletes and Jersey tube-toppers. On the eve of the Continental's 10th anniversary, we caught up with Starr to discuss 10 years of Continental life.

City Paper: What about the old Continental Diner made you think, "This is where I'll start my empire"?
Stephen Starr: I had no thought of having an empire back then. I was always intrigued by that little corner. Old City, I thought, had the bones to be very SoHo-ish. I never planned on making it the start of anything. I was so afraid of going into the food business.

CP: What should Old City keep in mind as it continues to grow?
SS: The community has to make sure to watch the growth. It may be getting a little too club-driven. Having more real restaurants and hip little lounges is good, maybe little mom-and-pop restaurants like Django. I would like to have more competition, more restaurants.

CP: Miss anything about the old Old City?
SS: I think it's become more of what they call a New York bridge-and-tunnel. I miss the exclusiveness. Though the increase in revenues has been incredible, I miss the vibe and the feeling … sort of the little, secret place only the cool people knew about.

CP: You've got plans to open restaurants in New York and Atlantic City. Are there other cities you're looking at?
SS: Right now we're negotiating to do a Continental in Miami's South Beach. But I really have to think about what I want to do with my life. I have offers all the time for Las Vegas. I don't know if I'd want to spend time in Las Vegas.