Last call for beloved Fort Erie breakfast and fish-and-chips stop

The end of February will also spell the end of Lanes Family Restaurant in the Stevensville area of Fort Erie as they will be closing their doors for good today (Feb. 28).

The restaurant was a bit of a nostalgic step-back in time for a society weaned on the convenience of fast food as it was a sit-down, homestyle breakfast stop.

The local neighbourhood all knew the restaurant was open 8 am to 1:30 pm for every day of the week except one. Oddly, the doors stayed open from 8 am to 7 pm on Fridays.

That’s because their specialty was fish and chip and, of course, Friday is Fish Night to many. That said, the restaurant has specialty nights, such as Valentine’s Day, where they would keep the eatery open past the twilight with special day menus and prices.

The restaurant got their notice from Avondale, the land-owners, who are expanding their existing building next door and the Town decided the existing septic system couldn’t support the both expanded business and the restaurant.

That decision, received by owner Tammy Lane in December, turned the last couple of months into a farewell tour for the neighbourhood staple.

On the restaurant’s Facebook, Lane posted today – the last day – about her fond memories of nearly two decades of feeding the community.

“I wanted to come on here again and just say THANK YOU!” said Lane. “I have been thinking a lot about all the friendships I have built over the past 19 years with everyone and thinking about the restaurant in general.”