Business & Tech
King George Inn Closing 'Traumatic,' Owner Says
Cliff McDermott, who ran the historic South Whitehall restaurant for 42 years, says it was a victim of changing trends in dining and a weak economy, the Morning Call reports.
The closing of the in South Whitehall after 42 years was "traumatic, like a death in the family," owner Cliff McDermott said in a Morning Call story.
He said revenue from the historic restaurant had been declining for years but he put off out of pride. While the weak economy played a role, McDermott lamented that he failed to keep up with the times.
For example, while his restaurant still used linen table clothes and napkins that cost $1,200 to launder, more people today are choosing the casual dining atmosphere of the grille and pub variety, he said.
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The landmark restaurant at Cedar Crest and Hamilton boulevards had a storied history, serving weary travelers as a crossroads tavern even before the Revolutionary War. Built in 1756, it has been designated a National Historic Site by the National Park Service.