Red Onion Restaurant
an Old Wethersfield favorite
TO CLOSE ON SATURDAY
March 16, 9:00 PM

 

ROR Busy Outdoors The Clarke's Dine Steve at the Grill Ready to Serve You The End is Near

Wethersfield, CT -- March 14, 2002, Wednesday --   The Red Onion Restaurant, open for little more than four years, will be closing its doors ending its Old Wethersfield business at the end of the evening this Saturday, March 16. Confirmed by two, not-so-independent sources, owner - operators Steve and Patti Taylor (of Newington), the Red Onion falls victim to "unfavorable business" factors. Patti is at a loss for words, at least those which she can share in a public medium, which can explain the need to close. Inferred from sundry comments and clues is a combination of factors, including long, dark winters, with no bright and welcoming lights to alert the public that they were open. Less than favorable lease terms were also implicated thought not expressed or enumerated. The effects of a recession weighed in, the damage done, despite signs of a slow upswing in the local economy. Steve, always up-beat and sporting a youthful buzz-cut, remains optimistic about the future for this memorable pair in other endeavors. He too is hesitant to say what is planned. In the last six months, Steve has had the good fortune and prestige of becoming a line-chef coordinator at the Mohegan Sun casino complex, having charge over nearly two dozen culinary artists and workers. Unfortunately, it has also taken him from the Red Onion more than they would have liked. To add insult to injury, they have had to suffer snafu's inflicted by the telephone company, which two days ago, disconnected their service five days too early. Patti was forced to spend the better part of a day just getting their phone service restored. Through a clear error on the part of a employee belonging to one of their equipment leasing companies, an essential part of their (and any other restaurant's) equipment was prematurely removed, their coffee maker. Patti again had to confront the coffee magnate to get her coffee service returned (just today). Patti especially is having a difficult time reconciling her feelings in the closing of the business. The business may be closing but she feels closer than ever to all of those who dinned at the Red Onion since it served its first customer in November 18, 1997. Customers have become friends. Patrons have become confidants. Old Wethersfield customers have become, can we say, almost like family, at least the good aspects of a family. Old Wethersfield breeds that feeling of community she has learned. Steve and Patti are not planning a special closing event, certainly not a celebration. Nonetheless, we can sense that they would love to say goodbye to all their regulars during the last two days. Wethersfield residents and especially Old Wethersfield denizens would do well stopping down at the Red Onion Restaurant and ordering "their last meal" before it's too late. Give Patti a hug and give Steve a pat on the back (or just rub his fuzzy head) for good luck. - W.N -