CLOSURE: Beloved restaurant closes after almost 50 years in Mississauga

It was a good run.

For 47 years, it has been the go-to spot for fish and chips for many in Mississauga. But that has come to an end.

Clarkson Fish & Chips closed its doors for the final time on Sept. 6, and with that, a couple of generations of customers will no longer be able to rely on an old standby for comfort food.

Operators of the Lakeshore Road restaurant announced the closure on Facebook, catching many by surprise.

“Well, this is it — September 6th was our final day at Clarkson Fish & Chips. After 47 unforgettable years, we’ve officially closed our doors.”

The message is signed by “Rose & Liz,” the only names known by customers of the two ladies who could always be found behind the counter frying up halibut, cod or haddock with a good helping of chips.

“We’ve been honoured to watch your kids — and even your grandkids — grow up right here,” the message continues. “We heard your stories about births and weddings, and shared quiet hugs while talking about loss. We were there for the messy peas and gravy sprawled across plates. We’ve seen busy Friday nights and those famously long Good Friday line-ups, always knowing the wait was worth it.”

The restaurant survived in the small plaza on the south side of the street while other businesses came and went. And, according to those who are now lamenting the loss, the shop’s lasting appeal was its old-school simplicity, which appealed to a cultural connection that is slipping away. Amidst the gourmet burger, shawarma, pizza, and endless chicken take-outs, the fish and chip shop is one of the last links to a British tradition that may no longer have an audience in Canada of 2025.

“Heck, no one even calls them ‘chips’ anymore. They are ‘french fries,'” said Mark Henderson, a self-proclaimed “foodie” with British roots who still enjoys the flavours from ‘back ‘ome” from time to time.

“When it comes to food, England is not known for being on the cutting edge,” Henderson continued. “But they did give fish and chips to the world, and that is something to be proud of. But seriously, at one time, most Canadians could trace their ancestry to the U.K., and fish and chips were a part of that. Shops were everywhere. Not so much anymore.”

Others who commented about the closing on social media were less philosophical than Henderson, stating the shop was a part of the community that would be missed, but wished Rose and Liz well on their future endeavours.

“I’ve been going to Clarkson Fish and Chips almost all of my life, going in with my grandparents, then later stopping off after school, now taking my own kids there,” said Donnie McMillan. “I’m sorry I didn’t have the chance to say goodbye, but I guess I have to find another place for some authentic fish and chips.”