Middletown vs. Moeller
Pyramid Hill light show preparation
Were you spotted tailgating?
Home > Blogs > Taste: Dayton food and restaurants > Archives > 2008 > November > 07 > Entry
Lincoln Park Grille restaurant to close Jan. 1
Lincoln Park Grille, 580 Lincoln Park Blvd. in Kettering, will cease operations on Jan. 1, 2009, its owner, Bruce Comisar, said this morning, Nov. 7.
The restaurant has operated under Comisar’s ownership for 10 years, and its patio is a particularly popular spot during concerts at the neighboring Fraze Pavilion.
Comisar said a combination of slow business, a poor economic outlook and difficulty in trying to renegotiate a lease with his landlord prompted the decision to close. But he also wanted to give customers ample notice.
“We have parties scheduled before the end of the year, and we have gift cards out there, and I wanted to honor the commitments I’ve made,” Comisar said.
Comisar said he searched for alternatives to closing, including approaching potential investors both locally and nationally and trying to contact his landlord to renegotiate his lease, but the efforts were not successful. He said he does not anticipate changing his decision regardless of what happens between now and Dec. 31.
“I can’t do it anymore,” Comisar said. “I have no intentions for a new facility or anything like that … I’ll be looking for work. Maybe I can help someone.”
The closing will mark an end to an era: Either Comisar, 66, or his father Max — who was founder of the King Cole restaurant in downtown Dayton and its predecessor, the Seville — has operated a restaurant in the Dayton area since 1928.
Comisar encouraged Dayton-area residents to support independent restaurants such as the eateries he and his father operated for eight decades.
“I hope that to the extent they can, local people will support local restaurants, because local restaurants are the fabric of the community,” he said.
Jay Haverstick, owner of Jay’s Restaurant, has spent 51 years in the industry and got engaged at the King Cole in the early 1970s, when the restaurant was owned by Comisar’s father. Haverstick said he was saddened by the closing announcement, and said it was a sign of the difficult times.
“Business is tough, the toughest it’s been in all the years I’ve been doing this, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get better anytime soon,” Haverstick said. Expenses keep climbing, while customer counts are dropping, he said.
Lincoln Park Grille will be open on Thanksgiving Day from noon to 6 p.m. On New Year’s Eve, it will feature music from the Termite Band. For more information, call the restaurant at (937) 293-6293.
Permalink | Comments (40) | Post your comment | Categories: Restaurant closings
Comments
By .
April 28, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this
Uh, yeah, they did and enjoy your croutons. :)By big bob mal
April 28, 2009 9:21 AM | Link to this
lincoln park grille did not use food brought back from tables whoever said that is an idiot.By Really?
April 5, 2009 2:17 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry, but being a former employee at LPG and hearing all of this about a bad economy and Obama is ludicrous. The reason why LPG closed is because of poor management. That’s it. Our biggest complaint was that the prices were too high for the small portion sizes, and what did Bruce to do fix that? Nothing. Bussers on average made less than 1% of the server’s tips nightly because everything was doled out from the server’s themselves. The clientele that did visit us on non-Fraze nights came in to drink and complain about politics. Every so often, we’d have some nice ladies come in and play bridge, but clearly, the reason why LPG closed is NOT because of any political reason whatsoever, it’s because of poor decision-making made in managing a business. (Besides, the restaurant would probably close sometime or another from a health code violation or something. We used leftover bread we put on the table to make croutons. Gross.)By jason
November 20, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
Damn, they had a really hot hostess there. And yeah, in a town the loves Marion’s, no good food will ever survive.By Gordo
November 10, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
I did not gto the LPG very often, but when I did last summer, I did have great service and food. I’ll be sorry to see them close.By Dave
November 9, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
It is so sad to see the independent restaurants vanish, however, I was at Carvers the other night and found out that it went from being a chain restaurant to an independently owned restaurant. I’ve never heard of that happening before. Good for them! We should all start supporting local restaurants more often.By David
November 8, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
@MRM: Yeah, right, that Obama’s master plan would be to tear down LPG. Don’t forget, it was your guy McCain who called Obama an elitist and your gal Sarah who’s a “regular ol’ hockey mom.” They’re the ones who eat at McDonald’s, at least when they’re seeking the redneck vote.By MRM
November 8, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
Figures. Tear down LPG and build more McDonalds. All part of Obama’s master plan! I am moving to Canada!By Jack
November 7, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
LPG was a very nice restaurant.The building was sold last year to a company in California. I will miss Bruce and the people that worked there.By null
November 7, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Arguing in comments is like the Special Olympics, even if you win, you’re still retarded.By bub
November 7, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
LPG was suffering long before the flood of new places at The Greene. The problem is, Dayton has too many restaurants…period. This area doesn’t have the economic foundation to support eating out like that. LPG was blessed and cursed by the Fraze. And honestly, on the weekends, it had turned into a 40+ meat(meet)market. They waxed and waned on their entertainment on the weekends, NEVER advertised, and somehow expected to survive on the retirees living close to the Fraze? To me, the demise is just as much about poor management, and a reluctance to evolve, as it is market saturation. Nonetheless, it’s still a shame to see it go!By JS
November 7, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
It is always a challenge for indy restaurants to survive, often they do not have the capital that chains do. But ultimately it is the over saturation of chain and non-chain and other options that inhibit many indy restaurants. LPG was fine, but never really did a whole lot to make you think “I’ve got to go back there.” Chains are boring but predictable, and offer up great drink/food specials. Indy’s just don’t get the word out about specials, so you forget about them. And all places overcharge on drinks. $6.00 for a Jack n Coke = $132 per bottle. Specials lead the way!By marsha
November 7, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
it’s spelled “flamer”!!By william
November 7, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
I’m a big flammer! Where is this gay bar in New Haven?By EC gal
November 7, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Everyone who thinks that LPG was overpriced have obviously never lived anywhere but Ohio! I grew up in Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC. Meals like they serve at LPG easily cost 2-3 times that on the east coast. Stop complaining about the price! If you don’t like it what they charge for quality food, go eat the sub-par, frozen, over cooked steak at Tumbleweed!By william
November 7, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
I swear to God, you Republicans are some of the dumbest people around. It’s too bad that the Civil War didn’t turn out differently so you redneck hicks can go to the Confederate States of America and rot in your waste while the rest of us evolve and flourish. But then again, there’s always Alaska.By Linda
November 7, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
The Dayton Area has some great local dining spots. I like supporting Dayton area business. The food is so much better then those chains. Oakwood Club,The Pine Club, C’est Tout, Old Hickory Bar-B-Que the list goes on and on. The people of Dayton when they plan on going out should take a look at our local yellow pages and support our local businesses. You do not need to be rich, you can still go to a locally own bar or cafe and not spend as much as you do at some of the chains.By Jaffcigar
November 7, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Comisar should have made it into a gay bar. They are the only non-chains that can make it. Like the one in New HavenBy smalltoolman
November 7, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
I will miss the parties at LPG were I liked to hang when out of the slammer. Nobody throws a party like a right-winger- Comisar just didn’t make enough to get Bush’s tax cut and has to close.By Melissa
November 7, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
they were expensiveBy gail.crain@libertysavingsbank.com <---- skinny
November 7, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
Another freaking flamming liberal!By oldertipp
November 7, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
working in the food industry for over 20 yrs. i have watch the chains take over they demand better pricing from sysco and us food in turn they raise prices on the independent’s it’s so sad if you went into a red lobster,applebee’s kitchen you would never eat there again i never will.By mitch
November 7, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
good luck Bruce, I always enjoyed our chats. Thanks again.By Don
November 7, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
pts- for your info…I had dinner at LPG one day before the windstorm 9-13-2008. However the food was good… Still very, very overpriced!!! I can make my own meal and feed 4 of us for under what they charged!!! So go blow more of your vicious venom elsewhere!By pts
November 7, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
Another thing to everyone blaming the big chains. They, like the local places, can only stay in business if they are supported. The customers decide who stays in Dayton, and who doesnt. Yes, chains have lower prices, as well as worse food. If your goal is getting the most food for $9.99, then go to Applebees or TGIF. But if those are the places you choose to support, then that is who is going to stick around town.By pts
November 7, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
All of you cheap people who say restaurants like LPG and Jay’s are overpriced compared to chains are morons. I went to LPG last week and got a prime rib dinner that was among the best I ever had, for less than $20. Its the cheap redneck Dayton market that wants to stuff its face with Marions pizza and Taco Bell that is to blame. And all of you people that say you are sad to see it go, when is the last time you went there?By Ed
November 7, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Hey get a clue. You are a damn fool.By Duh
November 7, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Hey get a Clue. I think you need a clue. This business is going out under your presious Bush watch. Of course because Obama will be in office in Jan after this, it must be his fault…. TypicalBy Duh
November 7, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
Hey get a Clue. I think you need a clue. This business is going out under your presious Bush watch. Of course because Obama will be in office in Jan after this, it must be his fault…. TypicalBy Gail
November 7, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
To: Get a clue you dumm liberals! At the present time I do believe Mr. Bush is our president and has been for the LAST 8 years. You need to put the blame where it belongs. Get real!!!!!!!!!!!!!!By Bill
November 7, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Please don’t blame the chain restaurants! Places like Jay’s and LPG was way overpriced. I used to love to have dinner at either Jay’s or LPG but would rather not anymore because of the excessive prices.By Steve
November 7, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
6C that was our booth at his Dad’s place (The King Cole) for many years. Still have one of the great menus from The King Cole. Best wishes, SteveBy It's ok. Sonic is on its way!
November 7, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Lincoln Park Grill will be missed. 80 years of serving the area and it ends like this. How many more locals will we lose out on when the big chains keep coming in?By William
November 7, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
Another good one is closing because of the likes of the chain operators. How very, very sad. It was a great place to eat.By North
November 7, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
What a shame! LPG is one of the few classy little dining spots left in the Miami Valley.By food
November 7, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
So sad. Always liked going to LPG. Especially for pizza and drinks. Rest of the menu was good, but pricey.By dj
November 7, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
This is sad. I have very fond memories of LPG.By e
November 7, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
Anyone know who his landlord is? Maybe some letter writing could be helpful…public opnion can sway.By mikey
November 7, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
smoke em if you got emBy foodie
November 7, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
so very, very sad, what will we do during the Fraze summer music season?? One more Mom and Pop restaurant that succumbs to the restaurant chains.