Rotier’s, a single of Nashville’s oldest dining places, is permanently closed right after 75 many years of operation in the shadow of Vanderbilt University.
The longtime restaurant, significantly less than a block from campus and Centennial Park, was recognized for generations for its award-profitable cheeseburger on French bread, plate lunches and homey atmosphere.
2nd-generation owner Margaret Ann Rotier Crouse said that the changing cafe landscape, restrictive COVID-19 guidelines for limiting patrons and lease issues spelled catastrophe for Rotier’s.
The closing straw came this thirty day period when the building’s new proprietor told the Rotier loved ones they would no lengthier lease to the restaurant, Crouse claimed.
Crouse, 72, claimed she is heartbroken.
“This has been right here since I was born. It’s hard,” she explained, voice breaking.
“But it truly is been seriously enjoyment. All people came in and talked and explained to tales about their life. Their grandparents brought them listed here. Multiple generations. They really enjoyed being here, and that makes me delighted.”
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The cafe experienced slash back its several hours to supply lunch only about two several years ago and closed its doorways in March thanks to the pandemic.
“We thought it would just be for a couple months,” explained Crouse, who has has worked at the cafe for virtually 50 a long time.
“My mother and dad liked this cafe. The world has adjusted a ton around the many years. I assumed with COVID it would just be closed for a very little when, but…it is what it is.”
Crouse mentioned that even if the building’s proprietors experienced supplied a new lease to the cafe, Rotier’s however might be closing.
“With COVID, we just couldn’t make ample dollars,” she said.
The restaurant, which opened in 1945, with its aged-college pine wooden paneling and nicely-worn creaky and at times lumpy booths, at 2413 Elliston Put, has been a well known desired destination for generations of loyal locals and Vanderbilt supporters and college students, who loved the hand-patted burgers and family atmosphere.
Often a fave on burger record
Above the yrs, Rotier’s was featured in the vicinity of the best of lots of regional and nationwide “best burgers” lists.
In the early days, burgers have been 25 cents. By 1992, the cheeseburger was 65 cents and at last test, it was $7.99.
In its heyday, the restaurant bought accolades from Southern Dwelling journal, The Meals Network, and “Hamburgers Throughout America.”
It experienced movie star appeal, as well, with patrons such as Jimmy Buffett (of “Cheeseburger in Paradise” fame), Keith City, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Kim Cattrall and Martina McBride.
The restaurant was started by the late John Rotier Sr. and Evelyn Rotier after Entire world War II when they reworked the previous Al’s Tavern in the very same location, into their hamburger and beer restaurant.
John Rotier Sr. died in 1981 and the spunky Evelyn Rotier retired in 1996 and died in 2014. Their sons John Rotier Jr., died in 1999, and Charlie Rotier died in September.
In current yrs, Crouse’s workforce has bundled third-generation Rotier family members associates, Jacob Crouse and Charley Rotier.
The Rotier relatives does not own the Elliston Place constructing the place the cafe is found. No information and facts was at the moment accessible about the long term of the creating.
Crouse mentioned her niece and nephew could be searching for a new spot, and aged-school signature furnishings would go into storage.
But, she additional, “this developing definitely is a huge element of what produced Rotier’s what it was.”
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