After 117 Years, Vincent's Seafood Will Close
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PLANO (CBS 11 NEWS) - After more than a century of memories made over delicious meals, a long-time North Texas restaurant is shuttering its doors.
The last location of Vincent's Seafood will close after dinner service on Saturday night.
"It's a tough decision. You're doing something for 55 years – same routine, day in and day out – it's hard to walk away," said Angelo Stergios.
Stergios is the owner of the white-tablecloth restaurant on Preston Road in Plano.
He opened this location 22 years ago, but the history of Vincent's – and his family's role in the restaurant – go back much further.
The first Vincent's Seafood opened on the no longer existing Poydras Street in Downtown Dallas in 1898.
Stergios's brother-in-law bought the restaurant in 1955, and the family expanded to four locations – from Mockingbird Lane, to Northwest Highway, Midway Road and finally Plano over the last 60 years.
"I never went to Vincent's without wearing a suit and a tie, and when I came here about 22 years ago, my son says, 'Dad, you can't wear a suit,'" Stergios said. "It took me a long time to finally take the tie off."
He's worked seven days a week for decades, and at 78 years old, Stergios says he's ready to spend more time with his grandchildren and on the golf course.
Vincent's will be open for lunch and dinner through Saturday, but reservations are not being taken at this time. Stergios encourages loyal customers to just walk in. There will likely be a wait, but there will be stories to share, too.
"We started eating at Vincent's probably in the late 40s, when they were down on Poydras Street. They had little black and white tile," said Mitchell Rasansky, the former Dallas City Councilman, who had lunch at Vincent's on Tuesday. "Let me tell you, it's a great restaurant. There are very few good seafood restaurants, and [Stergios] had the best," Rasansky said.
The restaurant is loved as much for the warm service as the fresh seafood dishes (and famous cole slaw), and customers are sad to see it go.
"We had to come this one last time," said Helen and Bob Chisolm.
After an article on the closing appeared in the Dallas Morning News, the phone at the restaurant began ringing off the hook. Long-time fans were lined up when the doors opened for lunch today, Stergios said.
"I'm stunned. Absolutely stunned. No idea he was thinking about it, but he deserves it," said Jan Jones, who went on her first date with her husband at Vincent's.
"They have a lot of memories," Stergios said, watching the crowd.
Stergios says he does not want to sell – he's prepared to walk away from the business he spent a lifetime helping build.
"It wouldn't be the same. Once you sell something, you can't control the quality of it. It's out of your hands," he said.
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