Pandemic Forces The Carlton Restaurant To Close After 37 Years In Business

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The Carlton Restaurant will be closing its doors after 37 years in business.

Owner Kevin Joyce says the pandemic led to its closure, losing about half a million dollars. He says he paid 14 months of rent but was unable to fully reopen and most of their revenue came from catering.

Joyce says it was a tough decision to close, but there's a silver lining in all of this. The restaurant's executive chef, Simon DeJohn, will continue serving Carlton food favorites at Eadie's Market. He will also launch the Carlton Catering Company, hoping to keep the restaurant part of the Pittsburgh fabric. The menu includes fresh seafood and meat.

However, they're still sad to see this city icon come to an end.

"I've had some great years here," said Joyce. "It's been a wonderful ride. I've had great support from my own family. Raised five kids. Everyone worked here. Everyone learned some things here and they all put up with me not being home for dinner. So, I'm going to miss it."

"As much as I'm going to miss the restaurant, I'm going to miss the people the most," said DeJohn. "It's just a great staff. People have been here 25, 35 years since the doors opened."

The owner says people will be able to say their final goodbyes on May 27 at the Final Pour event. It's a wine sale and taste testing event from The Carlton's well-known and extensive wine collection.