Sir Winston's closes when owner decides to retire

Sir Winston's Restaurant closed its doors at the end of operating hours yesterday.

Owner Dick Walls, 75, said when he was approached with renewing his lease for five years, he realized that he would be 80 at the lease's expiration. The lease expires on Friday.

"It's been a great 35-36 years, but at the same time you have to let up," he said.

Walls said the restaurant's employment numbers fluctuate, but at any time it employs between 15-35 people. As he and his employees move out of the location, Walls said he has mixed emotions about closing Sir Winston's doors.

He first purchased the restaurant, then called The Stables, in the late 1970s and operated it as The Stables for five years. Walls said the restaurant then went under remodeling, was renamed and he leased it out for a couple years. When he returned to the location, Walls changed it to Sir Winston's as a tribute to Winston Churchill, the British leader who gave his "Iron Curtain" speech at Westminster College.

"I'm going to miss a lot of it, don't get me wrong," Walls said, adding he is specifically going to miss his employees and regular customers.

Rent did not play a factor in deciding to close the restaurant and it was reasonably priced, Walls said.

"Seventy-five was just time ... I think I'm entitled to slow down," he said.

Walls said he doesn't know if anyone is interested in leasing the restaurant, but he hopes someone does. That is up to the landlord, he said.

"I'd like to come over and eat once in a while," he said with a smile.

Walls thanked all Sir Winston's patrons throughout the years.