Hundreds of folks turned out to have one last meal at Bricker's Cafeteria in East Liverpool as the restaurant closed doors after 98 years in business. 

 

The torch is being passed on to new owners. 

 

Generations of folks in East Liverpool have enjoyed the home cooking at Bricker's Cafeteria.

 

On the menu, favorites include meatloaf,  baked chicken dinner, hot roast beef sandwiches, and sides, plus a variety of other comfort foods.

 

Richard Brant and so many others have enjoyed food and have great memories over so many years.

 

"As the years went on the food was just fantastic. It's home-cooked, the pies are home-cooked, the cookies are home-cooked. The friendly atmosphere from the local people that work here," Richard Brant said. 

 

Also on Sunday's menu, a farewell and wish for good luck as hundreds of folks and families came out to say goodbye to the owner Greg Bricker. 

 

The closing of doors and selling of the restaurant he worked at since he was a boy is bittersweet.

 

"My great grandfather's brother married into the Isley's family. There were eight Isleys in our family at one point in time. And when they went out of business in the late 60's my family kept it open as Bricker's," Greg Bricker said 

 

"Everything is homemade. It's a labor of love for sure," Bricker added.

 

Other relatives have moved from the region, and Bricker working fewer hours will give the Financial Advisor, CPA, and former Mayor, who has worked three jobs for so many years, more time for his family.

 

The new owner Chef Ray says when the restaurant opens Wednesday it will have a new name, the 6th Street Cafeteria per the family's wishes.

 

"The family wishes if it ever sold outside the family name the restaurant name would be changed," Ray Stephens explained.

 

The owners say the recipe for success will be keeping the same recipes and people.

 

He tells us the same smiling and talented bakers and workers who make awesome food for folks to enjoy will remain.

 

"Almost everything is staying the same. We got all the recipes. We will be serving all the same food they've done for the last 93 years. The only thing we are doing here will be the cosmetic stuff, painting, new flooring, and things like that. What we're doing is we're carrying on a tradition," Ray Stephens said. 

 

"There's great employees some of them have been here 20, 30 years those are the staples as well as the business. We got all the recipes so the potato salad, all the pies, and cookies those things are staying as well," Tosha Stephens said.

 

Greg Bricker thanks the loyal customers who have become like family. He tells 21 News his office is down the road and he will be back, for the first time on the other side of the counter, to enjoy the food. 

 

"It's a packed house for sure. This is so much more than a business. We have made a lot of friends over the years and a lot of cusotmers and employees who have been like family. Thank you for all your support through the years. We love them," Bricker added.

 

The cafeteria has been Brickers's since 1968.

 

"It's in great hands with Chef Ray," Bricker emphasized.  

 

Hours and days the cafeteria is open will remain the same, however the owners hope to eventually open one more day during the week.