Denton's Legends Restaurant Will Soon Be A Memory, Its Owner Says

DALLAS, TX —Legends won't be a reality much longer.

In the case of restaurateurs Kat and Wayne LaCombe, their cafe Legends will become a memory after service this weekend in Denton.

Wayne took a moment away from his customers and help Tuesday to reflect on the unexpectedly tumultuous ride he and his business partner and wife have been through in trying to keep their dream alive.

"When we opened two years ago," says LaCombe, "there were lines out the door. But now . . . " His voice trails off over the phone. "I just don't know."

The numbers are wearying. To date, Denton has recorded nearly 86,000 cases of COVID-19, and has seen 815 deaths result. And on August 12, the Denton City Council passed what they call "The Thirteenth Order," a sprawling mask mandate that defies Gov. Abbott's anti-mask mandate. The order covers schools, staff, students and employees, as well as businesses offering goods and/or services and all city businesses.

For the LaCombes, it's too little too late.

In March, the couple and their restaurant became "internet famous" when Wayne's sign in the window caused a local furor. It read, "Our New Surcharge: $50 if I have to explain why masks are mandatory; $75 if I have to hear why you disagree."

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One fan liked the sign so much, he had it pressed into metal and sent it to the LaCombes as a present.

Kat is actually a retired nurse, and it was her experience that set the restaurant's health protocols, which turned out to be not so popular with a segment of local diners.

Road construction nearby added to their troubles, since it hindered access to the restaurant, but the LaCombes kept trying to make the best of it — until delta struck.

All of a sudden, says LaCombe, "all our customers who were trying to keep themselves safe were staying home, and the people who wanted to come in unmasked were the ones showing up."

But the final nail in the Legends coffin, as he sees it, "was the COVID numbers going up again. Then, on top of being short-staffed, and with the road construction and food costs going way up, it was just too much. A few weeks ago, I had a heart attack."

With their dream coming to an end, it was only logical to ask what's next for the couple who lavished money, time and endless hours of labor into making Legends work.

"We're gonna retire," LaCombe said with a sigh. "I've had it. I don't see COVID going away anytime soon, and our objective is to be safe. Far too many don't want that, but we do."

After Sunday's final meals are placed before their guests, the restaurant will be open Monday and Tuesday —but only to sell the collectibles from their walls.

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