Garrett’s Restaurant closes after 46 years

Garrett Restaurant has been a mainstay in Carlisle for 46 years.

In February of 1970 Garrett’s Restaurant opened as a family business at 215 N. Broadway Street in Carlisle and it soon became a mainstay that has remained until it closed this month.

George Garrett ran the restaurant with his wife Becky and a loyal dedicated staff that made everyone feel welcome.

“That was the key to our success. Either I or my wife were there seven days a week, just like my dad and mom before me,” Garrett said.

Garrett’s owned the restaurant all but one year.

In September of 1998 Garrett’s mom sold the restaurant to Stanley Frederick.

A year later his brother Dick paid a visit and struck up a conversation with Frederick who said he was sorry he ever bought the restaurant. Dick Garrett said the family was sorry they ever sold it, so the Garrett’s got together and bought back the restaurant a year to the day after it had changed hands.

“It was a good living” said George, “but we’re tired after so many years and want to spend more time with the grand kids. We have two under the age of one now and a third on the way. We probably stayed too cheap on prices for too long so we never really made enough to hire a manager to help out.”

At one point the Garrett’s had planned to build out the 2,400 sq. ft. 40 x 60 space above the restaurant to put in a three bedroom, two bath apartment with a big kitchen and living room.

They even had an architect draw up plans, gutted the place and put on a new roof but just before they planned to start the build out, the place they live in now came up for sale so they chose to move there instead.

“This place would be great for someone who wants to take over a successful restaurant and live above it, and I’d be glad to help them out to get started. We never tapped into the evening crowd being open for just breakfast and lunch. There’s a real up side there for someone.”

The property of Garrett’s Restaurant has recently been listed for sale and interested buyers can contact Garrett at 859-289-2820.