The Niagara landmark had become a beloved and famous attraction among tourists and Niagara and Hamilton locals, broiling thousands of burgers and bacons for patrons.
The restaurant owners Pat & Rosa introduced a brand of hospitality, including help-yourself coffee, that made the restaurant famous. Old Simon’s restaurant was a place that paid homage to the past, with its antique menu poster printing, old china, vintage plates, and relic photographs adorning the walls. Simon maintained simplicity in business practices and business card printing, which highlighted the store’s stores slogan:
“Where good friends meet and eat”
The store owners also made sure everyone knew the names of even random tourists who stopped in for a visit.
The closure of the Whirlpool Bridge to pedestrians, once accessible when there was pedestrian traffic to and from the US, killed business and contributed to the closure of long time restaurant.
Simon’s closes his shop on a positive note. Pat & Rosa have collected 20 binders full of messages written by tourists who have stopped at their doors from all over the world.
The history of Simon’s restaurant will no doubt continue to make news and printed headlines in Niagara and Hamilton for a little while longer. The owners have put the building and their brick home behind it for sale so they can finally retire.