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Pureterrah Witcher
SDN Staff
This Friday, and nearly five years to the day of its reopening in 2003, the Crystal Beer Parlor - one of Savannah's oldest restaurants - will close its doors for good, citing financial difficulties and chain competition.
The 75-year-old restaurant known for its New Orleans-style, Dixieland jazz house band, laid-back ambiance - high-backed booths and local celeb portraits that hang near the old-time bar - and classic American food, can no longer compete with Broughton Street eateries, especially in a down economy.
"In this economy, the mom and pops restaurants are being killed by chains. There are so many restaurants on Broughton Street people can just walk right into. Back in the day we were the only restaurant down town, with exception of one or two others," said owner, Suzanne Kosic
"We've been optimistic and hopeful each year since we reopened. It pains me that we have to close it, but its not making money and hasn't for some time now," said Kosic.
With Degenerative Disk Disease and surgery on the horizon Kosic said her health was also a factor in her decision to close the parlor.
"The healing process takes time. It's near impossible to run the restaurant and take care of myself the way I should," said Kosic.
Active in the community, Kosic is the president of the Georgia Restaurant Association's Coastal Chapter and plans to assist her 15 employees in finding work in other local establishments.
"I have wonderful people working here. Trustworthy. Honest. Loyal. They literally catch me when I fall. My goal is to make sure each of them finds employment. Other than the food, and atmosphere, my employees are why my customers continue coming back," said Kosic.
One of those customers, Marion Gannan, of Savannah has been coming the Crystal Beer Parlor since the 1940s and can recall when women weren't allowed in the historical speakeasy.
"I remember when their drivers used to deliver burgers by motorcycle back in the mid 1900s - the 40s and 50s. This place is a great piece of Savannah's history. Just look around," said Gannan.
"Its sad that it's closing. I knew this place as a child and young women. That's why I'm here today," she added.
Across from Gannan, friend Nancy Berry sat looking over the menu for the first time. In the two years she's been in Savannah she had never come to the restaurant - its not part of developing downtown.
"This is my first time coming here since arriving in Savannah. It's an amazing place full of history - a sort of untold secret. Its like stepping back in time," said Berry.
Like every Friday night, the closing night will feature The Beer Parlor Ramblers band - a staple in the local music community.
"It's going to be Mardi Gras. We're going to go out the same way we came in with a celebration," said Kosic.
