Longtime Weston Café Lucille's Is Closing This Week

Since 1999, Lucille's American Cafe has been serving up comfort-food classics to its hungry patrons. It's the kind of place where the owners and staff greet regulars by name and know their favorite dishes by heart. It's where families line up at the hostess station for weekend brunch in a familiar setting, including worn-in and cozy booths and dim lighting.

Unfortunately, the Weston institution will close its doors on Sunday, August 31, after 26 years of service. The restaurant announced the news on its Facebook and Instagram pages on August 11. The caption reads, "Have you heard the news? We are announcing the closing of Lucille's American Café in Weston at the end of August. Please come see us during our last three weeks and enjoy your comfort food favorites made from scratch with lots of love. It has been our greatest pleasure serving the community since 1999. Thank you for your loyal patronage; you have become part of our Lucille's family."

Fans immediately took to the comments across social media, with some writing, I've had so many good times there in the last 20 years or more. Good Luck to all of you," and "So sad about this! Lucille's was always my go-to restaurant in Weston!" The closure is a blow to longtime Weston residents.

Another South Florida Institution Lost Over Rent Hikes

According to the Sun-Sentinel, the closure stems from a familiar scenario in South Florida: a dispute with the landlord over rent and upgrades to the kitchen and bathrooms. Owners Paul and Beth Nunez told the paper that they were still in negotiation with their landlord and hoped for a last-minute reprieve.

It's unclear if negotiations are still ongoing. Lucille's reshared the news of its closure on August 22, reemphasizing that Sunday would be its last day of service.

Weston residents aren't taking the news well. "We've been loyal customers at Lucille's for 25 years. It's such a tragedy to lose such a treasured establishment," said a customer. "We are going to lose one of the best restaurants with the nicest staff in Weston," shared another.

A Weston Staple That Will Be Missed

Lucille's was founded in 1999 by Craig and Karin Larson, who sold it to Beth and Paul Nunez a year later, after they met at  Florida International University to study hospitality management. The restaurant is renowned for its classic dishes, including their great BLT sandwich, Cobb salad, housemade meatloaf, and chicken pot pie.

The restaurant also has a Central Florida outpost in Winter Haven, which will remain open. So, if you want a familiar bite, you'll have to make a road trip after Sunday.

Lucille's American Cafe. 2250 Weston Rd., Weston; 954-384-9007; lucillescafe.com. Closing on Sunday, August 31.