Jimmy Makris, a local poster boy for restaurant owners hamstrung by COVID-caused restrictions, threw in the towel last weekend – not to mention his apron – and will close his doors until further notice.
The news that Makris Lobster and Steakhouse, a business ingrained into the city’s foundation for 100 years, was temporarily shutting down was announced on the company’s Facebook page.
“We have come to a last minute hard decision, after some deep thought, that it is in our best interest to shut down for a couple months due to COVID restrictions and lack of staff,” stated the Facebook post attributed to the Makris Family. “Our plan is to renovate and reopen stronger than before.”
The announcement marks an official end to the nearly 10-month old struggle experienced by Makris and other restaurant owners who saw profits plummet as they were forced to close, then allowed to partially reopen, all while struggling to keep staff and implement new social distancing and mask wearing regulations.
The Faceboook message added that the restaurant will remain open this week before closing all its services on New Year’s Day.
“Our reopen date is to be determined,” the message read. “We appreciate you all and hope to see you all real soon.”
Hundreds of Facebook comments followed the Makris message, showing overwhelming support for his decision and promising to return in full force once the pandemic has been corralled.
Earlier in the crisis, as Makris was getting ready to reopen, anonymous callers reported to police they had seen a lot of cars in the parking lot. Makris had workers there expanding his outdoor deck for extra seating. At the same time a few customers waiting for takeout were in the parking lot making things looks crowded. Police responded and found Makris was following the rules.
Makris was stung that people just driving by would be tattletales and report him to the police, even though he was playing it by the book.
Later in the summer, more anonymous tips came in to the Attorney General’s office saying customers and waitstaff weren’t wearing masks indoors.
The Makris restaurant was reported eight times by tipsters accusing the business of violating the governor’s protocol orders. Makris criticized the Monitor story that examined the number of complaints made about Concord resturants, which revealed Makris had more than any other.
Makris said the number of complaints were a tiny fraction of the thousands of meals he served to happy customers. Makris said he had not been formally accused or cited for violating any rules.
Since then, the Attorney General’s Office has been levying fines to restaurants and other businesses that have flouted the rules. Makris has had no such violation.
He didn’t return phone calls on Monday seeking comment on why he’s closing and what the future of the restaurant looks like.
Makris went along with the mandatory, fulltime closing of non-essential businesses – takeout only – through the first two months of the pandemic. Still, he grew restless.
“It comes to the point where I might not follow rules and see what happens,” he said in May. “If we don’t do something for money, maybe we should shutdown for a few months and see what happens. I’m on the edge on whether to stay open or not.”
Restrictions loosened in June.
By August, when attorney general’s office and police departments responded to complaints about Makris, officials walked a thin line between enforcing a new set of rules and giving business owners second and third chances before issuing fines.
Makris was still fiery, saying, “My staff is not going to comply with the guidelines 24/7 when it’s 90 degrees out. You try to wear a mask outside on our deck in 90-degree weather.”
Makris also addressed the hardships Americans were facing, using his own numbers to show what he knew was causing a deepening recession.
“They cut me to 50 percent, but my costs are still 100%,” Makris said. “There are a lot of people hurting right now.”
Soon, with the buzz about Makris’s defiant nature still thick, he and his restaurant came to represent a rebellious spirit of sorts. He remained skeptical that COVID was as bad as the Democrats had made it seem, and mentioned that the issue had become too political.
That’s a familiar scenario, nationwide. Longtime businesses – landmarks, really – are shutting down, some for good.
The Makris operation dates back to the early 20th century. The late Greg Makris, Jimmy’s older brother who died suddenly 18 months ago, had been a local business owner for 44 years.
Greg, known for his walrus-like mustache and affable manner, was the face of the restaurant, the master of public relations simply by being himself.
NASCAR drivers and team owners turned the Makris brothers’ place into New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s unofficial hot spot for post-race eating and drinking.
Those years, when the winning driver received a lobster the size of a compact car, compliments of the Makris boys, seem like a long time ago.
“Stay happy and healthy,” the Makris Facebook post said, “and keep an eye out for the grand opening date.”