Farewell to Main Street Lunch

Customers have been streaming in over the past couple of weeks to say goodbye to a Main Street institution, appropriately named Main Street Lunch.

Any time owner Lou Ditolla (pictured) was asked how he was doing the answer was pretty much always, ​“hanging in there.” It was a cliché often used by many but in Lou’s case maybe it was a sign of things to come.

Ditolla opened Main Street Lunch at 556 Main St. in 1986 and after 30 years, he’s decided it’s time to move on. No more ​“hanging in there.” The wall tells his story.

His ​“regulars” are feeling the loss even before the doors close for good on Friday, Dec. 30. This has been their place, their daily ritual, be it breakfast or lunch. This is the place where they could find their table and be with friends. This was the place to take the temperature of the town. 

Seated at one table for lunch were three well-known gentlemen in town: Financial advisor Gerry Campion (L), attorney and former Probate Court Judge Richard Patterson, and Branford/North Branford Probate Judge Frank Forgione (R). Campion has been coming in for all 30 years, Patterson for 17, and Forgione for over 15.

Forgione said, ​“This place is a gathering place to spend time with friends during a busy day. I’ll miss that.” Patterson added, ​“I’ve never come in here and not found someone to sit with and talk.” Campion said he’s not sure what he’s going to do after Friday. ​“It’s been part of my day for a long time.”

Making the Decision to Close

During a late morning break recently, Ditolla talked about how he made the decision to close. ​“I’m getting older now (64) and want some time for myself,” he said. ​“When I opened, we had steady customers every day for breakfast and lunch. Over the years, that’s all changed. People move, die, or retire, and new customers aren’t taking their place.

“Thank goodness I had some very loyal customers that have kept me going for the past few years.” Here are mid-morning long time customers Bob Carbone (L) and Fred Porrello (R). They are getting ready to give their order to waitress Peggy Piergrossi behind the counter.

Many of those loyal customers and others who heard the restaurant is closing have been coming in the past week to say goodbye to Lou, his sister Denise Remmey (called Dee), who subs for her brother on his days off, and waitresses, Patty Giordano (pictured) and Peggy Piergrossi.

Some of the regulars who came in have had reactions ranging from, ​“I’m disappointed they’re closing,” to ​“good for Lou, let him enjoy himself and smell the roses.”

Lou or Dee are at the restaurant around 5 a.m. each day to greet early-arriving regulars like Dana Strickland(R), who works for the Public Works Department and has been a customer for 29 years, and Andy Dwyer (L)who has been coming for 20 years.

Both feel bad that they are losing their regular stop, but they understand why Lou is doing it. ​“It’s the right move for Lou,” said Strickland. ​“He’s doing it for himself.” Dwyer made an observation about being in business for yourself. ​“It’s not easy, sometimes everyone gets paid but you.”

Former Yale assistant swim coach Don Galluzzi and his wife, Marge, (pictured here) attributed their move to Branford years ago, in part, to when they started having breakfast at the restaurant. ​“I said to myself, this is a nice place and they make you feel part of the community. It had a lot to do with us originally buying a house here.”

Retired former UPS driver Jerry Guay said he started coming in when it first opened. ​“It’s kind of sad,” he added. ​“This means a new phase in my life. I’ll miss the comradeship developed over the years with folks I’ve met here.”

The End of an Era 

Art Hauser (L)is probably the restaurant’s most regular customer. He come in seven days a week for breakfast and sometimes takes home an extra meal for dinner. ​“I really enjoy coming in here,” Art said. ​“I’m retired and make the stop here every day to see friends and have something good to eat. I’m going to miss Lou, Dee, Patty, and Peg a lot.” He is pictured here with other regulars, Mike Kelly and Barry Giordano.

Attorney and Branford Historical Society vice president Anthony Solomine stops in regularly to get a head start on his day. ​“I grab a cup of coffee and get ahead of things before I head to court,” he said. I’ll miss the friendships I’ve developed here over the years. I really enjoy coming here.” He is pictured here with his son, Eric.

Two former small business owners who were located near the restaurant were in for lunch last week. Judy Freed, (R) who owned ​“The Gold Topiary,” and Gail Bohan, (L), who owned ​“Kid Wishes,” both spoke of the time when they were in business next to Lou. ​“We loved it there,” said Gail. Judy added, ​“It was the best block in town.” Both agreed the closing was the end of an era. 

Waitress Patty Giordano has been serving customers with Lou for 18 years. She had previously worked at Baron’s Drive-In until it closed. ​“I have mixed feelings. I’ll miss the customers, but I’ll adjust. I’m happy for Lou.” Patty said she will work one or two days a week at Scotty’s, just past the center of town.

Lou let it be known to his customers that he was closing several months ago, but it didn’t seem to hit home to some until earlier this month. Here early customer and Branford firefighter Randy Chittenden wishes Lou well.

Undoubtedly this Friday will be a tough day for Lou, Dee,(pictured here warming up a danish pastry for a customer) Patty and Peg, and a whole bunch of loyal customers who will have to make new plans about where they will go for breakfast or lunch after the first of the year. 

Me, too.

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