(La Porte, IN) - Some La Porte residents might feel like a fish out of water today, as it’s the first day Louie’s Café has not been around in more than 40 years.  The restaurant in La Porte’s downtown closed after serving lunch yesterday.

 

Originally, they were supposed to close at their regular time of 4 p.m.

 

However, owner Tom Vasilarakos said they had to shut the doors about one hour early because it was so busy they ran out of food.

 

He said the final order at the restaurant started by his late father, Louie, was biscuits and gravy.  Vasilarakos said he was not surprised considering he felt before the doors closed that biscuits and gravy would be the legacy from the menu left by the restaurant.

 

“It’s an amazing reception of the town here.  They’ve been supporting us for almost a half century now.  It’s just amazing and I’m glad to have been part of that,” he said.

 

A number of customers and employees shed tears and shared fond memories of what became a La Porte institution after the doors first opened in 1977. 

 

Louie's Cafe had been at Lincolnway and Madison Street since 1985. 

 

Vasilarakos, 60, started working for his father at age 15 then became the owner of the restaurant following the passing of his father in 2013.

 

He said the restaurant was still very busy.  He simply wanted a change and plans to become a personal physical fitness instructor with the certification he's already earned.