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The Balzano family at Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
NewCanaanite.com (http://nctest.proxy02.mageenet.net/slideshow-last-call-at-gates-25710)
The Balzano family at Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Co-owners (l-r) Jeb Swift, Ceal Swift, and Billy Auer at Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Eggs Benedict at Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Lobster Bisque at Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Croissants with strawberry butter at Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
News 12 interviews Ceal Swift about the closing of Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on the final day of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on its last night of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
The infamous stairs leading from Main Street to the bar at Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on its last night of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on its last night of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on its last night of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Mary & Chris Cody at Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on its last night of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
The Last Supper at Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on its last night of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan.
Natalie Lopez, Chloe Lopez, Ashley Dunnam, Troy Dunnam and Zach Lopez at Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on its last night of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Longtime New Canaanites Carmella Lopez, Tom Dunnam, Andrea Dunnam and Mario Lopez at Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on its last night of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
On the last night of operation at Gates, (l-r) James Kearns, Kristen Prosio, Elizabeth Moncure, Sarah Sykes, Nadine Bullerman enjoying a final dinner at the New Canaan institution. Credit: Contributed
The Main Street entrance to Gates Restaurant in New Canaan on its last night of operation, April 26, 2015. Credit: Terry Dinan
Sunday, April 26, 2015 marked the end of an era in New Canaan as Gates Restaurant—a fixture in town since 1979—served up its last meals.
“What a wonderful town,” Gates owner Billy Auer told NewCanaanite.com during the final Sunday brunch. “We are very lucky to have had a restaurant in it.”
“I’ve been crying all week long” co-owner Ceal Swift said. “When I lock the door for the last time, and say goodnight to Frank’s picture in the urinal, then I’ll know it’s over.”
You are appreciated and have never disappointed us. Thank you, Billy, Jeb and Ceal.
The atmosphere looked amazing! I cried my way way through the entire moving slideshow. Thanks to all of the fine folks at Gates for 36 tremendous years!!
I remember when I was 16 years old and had a full time job at The Deli Bake on Elm street and my best friend worked in the kitchen at Gates and I was also working at Dairy Mart on Forest street but was also offered a kitchen job at Gates on the weekends as the salad girl. My best friend was a Sui chef in training and my other best friend was a dish washer there. Oh what great times we had working there at 16 years old. Jeb and Billy were great to work for. My favorite on the menu was the fried Brie Cheese. Too bad it closed but they both deserve to relax now.
God bless you Jeb and Billy