Tucked away down a small alley in the heart of bustling Downtown Boston, Locke-Ober, one of the city’s oldest restaurants, quietly shut down Saturday night, with no notice except a sign on the door thanking its loyal patrons and another stating, “Sorry, we are closed.”
The landmark Boston restaurant, which opened in 1875, was long a meeting place where the city’s power brokers made their deals and internationally known political luminaries like Henry Kissinger and Bill Clinton made appearances. In the heyday of Locke-Ober, the dark, stately dining room would be abuzz with patrons savoring their thick-cut steaks and signature lobster stew.
Comments
There are many reasons for Locke's closing and one of them is the squalid environment of Downtown Crossing. It is not a safe, inviting, upscale consumer friendly shopping hub.The Downtown Crossing area in recent years was not appealing to Locke's patrons. Nor was it safe at night. I hope it will be resurrected with its food and atmosphere elsewhere.
Also no advertising, no sign. The place was riding on a reputation known only to older people.
When most of your customers are too old to drive at night it is not easy to keep going. Seriously, it's sad to see this institution go away.
The times, they are a changin...as Bob siad. I used to work in the old Provident Bank building on the top 3 flloors and in those days, Locke Ober was still popular and was always busy during the day especially. I have only been in there once, but it struck me as a gem of place representing a time long gone by. It is sad to see it go finally. And unless it moves to the new waterfront district, I don't see where it could re-open with any degree of success. What a shame, but change keeps moving on.
I've never been to Locke-Ober but its closing is yet another nail in Downtown Crossing's coffin. What should be one of the most vibrant parts of the city looks like a methadone clinic. WAKE UP MENINO ADMINISTRATION!!!