× 1 of 4 Expand × 2 of 4 Expand Founder John Yacovelli outside the original restaurant, circa 1920s × 3 of 4 Expand Jan and Jack Yacovelli, third-generation owners of Yacovelli's at 407 Dunn Road in Florissant. × 4 of 4 Expand Yac's held a weekly watch party for North County pastry chefs Lia Weber and Al Watson who eventually won this year's edition of "Next Top Baker" on TLC. Prev Next

Last night Jan and Jack Yacovelli, the third-generation owners of NoCo institution Yacovelli’s, gathered their employees to announce the restaurant will be closing on January 1, 2015.

The Florissant restaurant and banquet/catering center, which turned an incredible 95 years old this year, had one hell of a run. Jack’s grandfather, John Yacovelli, came to St. Louis from Italy and founded the restaurant in its original location in 1919. The current location, on Dunn Road in Florissant, is actually the third place Yacovelli’s has called home.

“This has been a difficult decision, but after nine decades of running this successful restaurant business in multiple locations around the St. Louis region, the family felt the time was right to close out this chapter and enjoy retirement,” said Jack, via a press release.

“After working long hours, nights, weekends and holidays, it is time for us to enjoy our nine grandchildren and a new one on the way,” added Jan.

The couple’s youngest son, Joe, is a general manager at Yacovelli’s, but the fourth-generation scion is choosing to go into a different business, and to spend more time with his young family, we’re told. We sympathize – a lot of people outside the restaurant industry don’t realize that it’s a passion that can easily consume every waking moment. Yac’s is a large-capacity restaurant, with a sizable catering operation, including frequent off-site catering.

Yacovelli’s is also a family restaurant with a warm, family vibe, and that could not have been more in evidence than at the string of Next Great Baker watch parties they hosted in the banquet room. As guests cheered on St. Louis competitors – and eventual champions – Al and Lia, the vibe in the space was like that of a huge, motley family. Yac’s departure will leave many saddened.

Before they go, the Yacovellis are offering a number of eschatological events:

-“95 Days of Specials”: a daily special through Dec. 31

-“Thanks Giving” Food Drive: a week-long “thank you to our community” food drive for TEAM (The Emergency Assistance Ministry), a Florissant food pantry

-“Last Chance/Last Dance”: a “last hurrah” dinner/dance featuring an anniversary menu and other surprises

-a final blowout on New Year’s Eve

This announcement follows on the heels of other recently announced restaurant closings, including La Cantina, Hamburger Mary’s, Pomme, Pomme Café, Roxane, and Wild Horse Grill.

Yacovelli’s

Open through Dec. 31

407 Dunn. Rd.

314-839-1000

www.yacovellis.com