Landmark Boston Restaurant Durgin-Park To Close January 12

BOSTON (CBS) – Durgin-Park, a Faneuil Hall staple since 1827, will be closing on January 12.

Employees of the historic restaurant were notified about the decision to close Wednesday.

Durgin-Park is one of the oldest restaurants in the country. It gained a reputation for its good-hearted waitresses being nearly as "fresh" as its fish.

For more than 30 years, Richelle Mazzone's been behind the bar.

"I came in looking for a job. They said put on a uniform and get to work. I was like what?" Mazzone said remembering her first day. "They said some people called out sick, you want a job you're working today."

That's why she says it hit like a bombshell when employees were told the landmark would be shutting down.

"Where are you gonna get Indian pudding with ice cream? You gotta get it here! Or prime rib? Or pot roast?" she said.

Parent company Ark Restaurants based out of New York says it's the nature of the business - and that the restaurant just isn't making money like it used to.

Known for serving supper with a side of sass - customers came from all over the world for the atmosphere you can't find anywhere else in Boston.

Olivia Roy and her now fiance came all the way from Quebec City just to tell their favorite bartender their good news.

"Every time we came to Boston we came back here, and she'd always ask my boyfriend when's he going to propose, when's he going to propose? So today we came just to tell her that he did!" Roy said.

Mazzone says it's the people that made her keep the apron on and the drinks flowing for more than 30 years.

"My poor customers! I just want to say goodbye guys. I love you all," Mazzone said.

The CEO of Ark Restaurants told WBZ-TV he's talking with landlords and interested parties in the hopes they can pull off a miracle instead of closing, but for now, they plan to close the doors on January 12.