Since 1827: Historic Boston restaurant Durgin-Park to close Jan. 12

BOSTON — Patrons were saddened to learn that Durgin-Park, the landmark restaurant in Faneuil Hall that has served customers since 1827, is closing.

"It just feels like Boston," said Alison Hooper of Somerville.

Hooper was just 17 the first time she stepped through the doors.

"I'm really sad," she said. "I wish I had come here a lot more over the years and brought more people."

Michael Weinstein, CEO of Ark Restaurant Group in New York, which owns and operates Durgin-Park, told Boston 25 News on Thursday that the famous restaurant is slated to close on Jan 12.

Weinstein said customer count has gone down while costs have gone up and one of two leases is coming up this year.

There is a possibility that if another restaurant group agrees to take it over, or partner with it, Durgin- Park could be opened again, but right now the plan is to close the restaurant, Weinstein said.

Employees say they learned of the closing on Wednesday from company officials.

"We're still wrapping our heads around it. Nothing is set in stone but it's looking like the twelfth will be the last day," said shift manager Kenny Thimothe.

Richelle Mazzone has spent the last 30 years of her life working at Durgin-Park as a bartender and waitress.

"It’s hard to believe because it’s such a main place in Boston," Mazzone said.

There are so many stories she can tell.

"Larry Hagman, he came in, Ray Liotta, I think Barbara Streisand was in once and Tom Cruise was in a couple of times," she said.

Mazzone will miss the big names, but she'll miss her regulars more.

Olivia Roy and her fiance are from Quebec City. On frequent trips to Boston, they pop in to see Mazzone.

"We came here to watch a Patriots game, it was by accident, seven years ago?" Olivia Roy said.

Durgin-Park will be missed as a piece of Boston's living history becomes a thing of the past.

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