After nearly a century in business, doors are set to close at Florissant dining institution, Yacovelli’s Restaurant and Catering. Third-generation owners Jack and Jan Yacovelli announced today, Sept. 5, that they will retire at the end of this year and are shutting down the restaurant. “They’ve been doing this for almost six decades,” said their son and Yacovelli’s general manager Joe Yacovelli, who added that the couple looked forward to spending time with their soon-to-be 10 grandchildren.
John Yacovelli founded the restaurant in 1919 after immigrating to the U.S. from Italy. The family has operated the business in the St. Louis area ever since, including its current location at 407 Dunn Road in North County. The restaurant has been the site of many family celebrations over the decades. “Our legacy is all the people who have been married between these walls, birthday parties, anniversaries (and) dinners,” Joe Yacovelli said.
Before doors close for good at a New Year’s Eve party Dec. 31, Yacovelli’s will host a number of special events for loyal customers, including a Last Chance/Last Dance final hurrah party on Dec. 27, a food drive and 95 days of daily specials.
This article appears in September 2014.