Popular Landmark Restaurant In Manchester To Close After 37 Years

MANCHESTER, CT — A popular restaurant in Manchester that served as a culinary landmark for 37 years is closing its doors.

Adams Mill owners Deb and Tony Scarpace said the April 28 brunch will be the last meal served at the old converted factory (a mill dating back to the 1800s) at 165 Adams Street. The restuarant was known as a go-to gathering place for intimate and family dinners with birthday meals on the house, after-work socializing and group functions.

Another trademark has been a unique sign made out of barrels.

One longtime customer described the restaurant as, "a place to go for a nice meal that wouldn't break the bank."

A heartfelt farewell was posted on the Adams Mill Facebook page over the weekend by the owners:

"It is with very bittersweet feelings, that the Adams Mill Restaurant is letting you know that we are in our final weeks of business. Investors have given us the final opportunity to step aside. The building will be closed, renovated for a few months, and will reopen as something brand new. Our final day of business will be Sunday brunch, April 28th, so to those of you that will miss our chef Joe’s bits, blue cheese and poppy seed dressing, there is still some time!

"After 37 of the most incredible years of our lives, we are ready to pass on the baton. Those wonderful years are due to so many of you out there that have supported us over the years and we owe you all a thank you.

"To the Police Department, Fire Department, Chamber of Commerce and Health Department, thank you for your support over the years; for being there in times of need and for bringing us your celebrations and retirements.

"To our guests that have celebrated their birthdays, engagements, showers and weddings, thank you. Recently a guest told us “Everything happens at the Adams Mill – all the celebrations!” What a tremendous compliment that was.

"To our regulars that frequent our restaurant often, thank you. We have had the opportunity to get to know you, your families and friends. You have shared your life stories and experiences with us and you will never be forgotten.

"To the occasional guest that just stopped in, thank you. It was such a pleasure.
To our employees, we watched some of you grow from your first job, going off to college, and even returning for your weddings, baby showers, christenings and the unfortunate memorials of your loved ones. One of our previous employees said to me, 'I learned everything I know from the Adams Mill, and I apply it every day to my full-time job.' That, too, was an incredible compliment.

"You will all be missed.

"To the new owners, Manchester is a great town to do business in, and the surrounding communities have been beyond supportive. They have been good to us, as has our building. We hope that you are able to experience the same joy that we have and will have as many lasting memories.

"Again, thank you to all of you that have come through our doors. We apologize to those that we have disappointed. That, obviously, was never our intent. This has been an amazing ride and one that we would never have had the opportunity to experience if it weren’t for our guests and our ever-supportive employees.

"We have made many friendships with so many of you and you will all be missed greatly. We couldn’t have done it without you."

On the Adams Mill Facebook page, people remembered saying hello to new lives, offering goodbyes to long lives and celebrating milestones:

• "This is where I had my wedding and where we chose to go after we just buried my dad. Such memories. Very sad."
• "Our first date was at Adams Mill. We've been married 19 years."
• "It’s been a great run. It’s been a pleasure to be a part of the Adams Mill family for over 20 years."
• "I proposed to my wife on my 30th birthday there."
• "We had many family birthday and anniversary celebrations there! Penney High School Class of 1970 had our 40th reunion there."
• "My late husband and I had dinner there for our 50th wedding anniversary."

And no one ever seemed to leave there hungry at the table, professionally and socially:

• "Great place to work and an awesome place to dine. My kids and I made Adams Mill an annual birthday tradition resulting in lots of laughs and great memories."
• "I will miss your great food and such attention to detail."
• "Excellent food, excellent staff, exceptional management. You guys are the best."
• "I hope to make it in for some chicken bits one last time before the doors are closed."
• "We practically drink your hot Buffalo sauce in our house. We buy it by the tub. Your bits are our favorite thing ever."

Perhaps the most fitting tribute came in the middle of hundreds of Facebook comments:

"You brought many people pleasure and you ran a wonderful business ... not many restaurants last that long....Kudos to you and your Family... Go out with A Smile ... your time to relax a little."