Saturday, October 20, 2012

Locke-Ober in Boston Has Closed

A landmark Boston restaurant that has been in business for well over 100 years has apparently closed its doors for good.

Adam's Hospitality & Tourism Industry Blog is reporting (via a Facebook post from Patrick Maguire of jm Curley) that Locke-Ober shut down permanently at 7:30 this evening. No other information seems to have been given at this point in time, so check back for updates over the coming days.

[October 21 update: The Boston Globe mentions that Locke-Ober has closed "indefinitely," with a sign on the front door stating that the dining spot is "currently closed for business, pending Locke-Ober's sale of its buildings located at Winter Place." The sign also included a thank-you to its customers, with the hope that "the many warm memories we have shared within" would live on.]

[October 22 update: A more recent article in the Boston Globe indicates that David Ray (the owner of Locke-Ober) has sold the building and is moving on. Ray told the Globe the following: "I had a choice. Make Locke-Ober more casual, lower our standards to conform with the way society is today, or I could close it. I could close it with its history and its dignity intact. Because, frankly, it looked as good as it’s ever looked. The service was good, and the food was good." He also said that the new owners will probably have a restaurant on the first floor, though the upper floors (where there had been private dining rooms) will likely be used for housing. (Note: Any new restaurant that moves into the space will not be Locke-Ober.)]

Locke-Ober first opened in 1875, featuring mostly classic American fare such as steak, seafood, chicken, pork, and lamb dishes.

The address for Locke-Ober was: Locke-Ober, 3 Winter Place, Boston, MA, 02108.