After More Than 15 Years, Landmark Utica Restaurant To Close

After more than 15 years, a landmark Utica restaurant has decided to close their doors.

In an announcement on Facebook, Joey's Restaurant says they plan to close, due to the rising costs of running a family-owned business in New York State.

It is with a heavy heart and mind that after more than 15 years of owning and more than 20 years working at Joey’s Restaurant, that as of Monday 12/31/18 we will be closing the restaurant. We have wrestled with this decision for awhile, hoping upon hope, that we could continue. But with the uphill battle of being a family owned restaurant in New York , the rising cost of everything (insurance, food , wages, etc.) that this was the best decision we could make. We have been blessed with many great customers(friends), employees, purveyors and memories through the years. This could never have been possible without the support of you all! My family and I cannot thank the Mohawk Valley enough for the privilege it has been to serve you. We will forever cherish our time spent providing Homemade food in a family atmosphere. Thanks again! For those who wish take the opportunity in the next two weeks, please stop by and see us. If there is anyone with any outstanding gift certificates from the 2018 calendar year please feel free to redeem them or Direct Message us so as to be refunded. Again thank you so much to everyone that has supported us the last 15 years! Much love to all.

Owner Michael Brown moved Joey's into their current location at 307 Mohawk Street in 2017. At the time he said the move was made in order to upgrade the kitchen.

Joey's has been a part of the Utica landscape for several years. Many current and former customers expressed their sadness, and shared their fond memories of Joey's:

"I am so very sorry to hear this. Joeys has been my favorite restaurant since I was a child. Utica will not be the same and you will be missed."

"Joey’s Restaurant has been part of my life for 20 years. Working there in my teens and early 20s, summers, winter breaks, quick weekend home! It was a family and a home away from home. I am sad to see Joey’s close and wish Michael the best of luck!"

You can still enjoy a meal at Joey's before December 31 - so hurry up, before a small part of Utica's culinary history is gone for good.

[H/T UticaOD.com]