Seventh Street Cafe To Close Its Doors Next Week, Owners Share Future Plans And What They'll Miss Most

GARDEN CITY, NY — The Seventh Street Cafe in Garden City is set to close its doors on Christmas Eve, leaving behind more than just a business. Owners and Garden City residents Victor and Brooke Scotto have sold the Italian restaurant after 33 years in business, since opening on Dec. 7, 1992.

Brooke said neither of them would have ever really felt ready to retire, but they unexpectedly received an offer to buy the restaurant earlier this year.

"A good offer, which it would not have made sense, from the financial standpoint, for us to refuse," she said.

Reflecting on the journey, Brooke said one of the most rewarding aspects has been working with her husband as a team.

"We have always had an exceptionally close, loving relationship, but running this restaurant together really created something extra-special between us," she said.

For Victor, a defining moment came with the restaurant’s dramatic transformation from 2017 to 2018.

"Victor worked very hard, and under his direction and leadership, business skyrocketed, went straight through the roof," Brooke said. "This was very gratifying."

Brooke said the restaurant was transformative for her.

"For me, the most rewarding aspect was spiritual," she said. "I fell in love with humanity in this dining room. Within weeks of working here, I was no longer evaluating the success of my day each night in terms of business accomplishments or how many things I crossed off my ‘to-do’ list. I was now reviewing how much good I did– how much love, care, patience, kindness, and wisdom I showed– how many connections I initiated and nurtured. That’s living an awakened life. This restaurant was the vehicle for that, for me."

As she thinks back on her years at Seventh Street Cafe, she shared that what she will miss is the people. She shared about the people who showed up every day for her.

"I will miss our staff," she said. "I will miss being surrounded by people who understand me, care for me, and are always there for me, both business and personal. I will miss the feeling of being surrounded by love, fun, and support."

Brooke said she will deeply miss their customers, especially as many of them have become dear friends.

"I will miss taking care of everyone, making them feel welcome, special, cared for, loved," she said. "I will miss comforting the grieving, the heartbroken, and those struggling with one thing or another (that’s all of us, isn’t it?). I will miss making people’s days a little brighter."

It's being able to connect with them and help nurture those who need it that she said she will miss.

"One day, I spoon-fed an under-the-weather customer some homemade elderberry syrup I happened to have on hand," she said. "I’m going to miss having all these people in my orbit, to care for."

She added that the other night, a customer said to her, "You've made a lot of people happy," and before she knew it, her eyes were filled with tears.

Although they will miss the restaurant business deeply, Brooke said owning a restaurant comes at a cost– they haven't had time for proper self-care.

"Now, we will have time to take better care of ourselves," she said. "Needless to say, I will be in charge of this, but Victor has agreed to cooperate. I’m talking about gentle workouts, maybe Pilates, rebounding, massages, acupuncture, to name a few. We will do all of this together."

Along with this will be meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking together, all everyday routines that can go out the window in restaurant life.

"Meals we won’t have to hurriedly bolt down at our little table by the bar, interrupted by ringing phones, walk-in shoppers, etc.," she said. "We will have time outside each day, also time dedicated to silence, time for reflection, time for conscious breathing, even if just a few minutes a day. All much-needed nourishment for both body and soul."

The closing date is early January, and the last day of business will be Christmas Eve.

"Come see us before we go!" Brooke said.