By Jernalism-2011 Abandonment Issues: Paros Island Restaurant
From outside, there are no obvious signs that fire and smoke damage have ravaged The Paros Island Restaurant in Perth, Ontario. According to an AGCO document, the restaurant had its license revoked and was shut down between November 1, 2006 and July 31, 2007. The infraction stated in the document was “Not financially responsible in conducting its business due to Retail Sales Tax Act – did not contest.”
I have not been able to ascertain when exactly the fire happened.
The fake plants and pink patterned love seat are still in decent condition in the front lobby. But directly ahead, the severely burnt coat check area leads back to the hostess and server’s station and the buffet, which appears to be the point of origin of the fire. Smoke damage was severe in the kitchen and in some dining areas. After an hour of exploring in utter silence, we simply stepped outside, holding hands, camera’s ’round our necks, shot the driver a pair of crooked smiles and walked away.
Very good food presented and served by uniformed waitresses served on a table cloth and cloth services Great atmosphere for seniors. I took my mom there many many times. Miss the place and miss the genteelity
My grandmother Barb Fournier hostessed at Patterson for more than 20 years. She was a huge part of the Perth community and known for her friendly attitude and sincerity. Many people have told me that she was one of the reasons they kept coming back I have fond memories of the pink cloth napkins and fancy atmosphere. Also the best soups ever!
I recall that when he was sitting in the court in Perth, Judge Newton would regularly have his lunch in a small room inside the restaurant. I seem to recall that there may even have been a small brass plaque identifying it as the Newton Room.
My parents Dan and Ida Fallak were friends of the owners, the kubachi’s. We went there for a treat quite often. Loved going there. It was so nice for my mom to be served rather than to serve as they were restaurant owners themselves. Elizabeth was a really great friend to my mom. It was sad that no one took it over.
We lived just outside of Perth when the ice storm hit in 98. Patterson’s had generators up and running good spot for a hot meal. Parking lot had Hydro trucks and crews from all over Canada and Northern U.S. eating there daily.
I worked my first job at Pattersons, when it was a lunch counter, 3 or 4 tables and attached to their garage. Made $50 in tips — for the whole summer!!
When I was going to school I worked there but the older resturant that had the gas bar. I sure loved working there. My Brothers Ron Gordon and Paul Gordon worked ther also. It sure was a great place to work Sandy Patterson was the best boss to work for. Bonnie also worked there at the time.
I believe that Patterson’s introduced Lanark County, at least in and around Perth, to fine dining. I remember coming from the cottage to enjoy a meal there.
I loved Patterson’s. I used to take my mother there because she really enjoyed their lamb (which I never ate). I also remember a wonderful wedding reception for Nancy Burchill and Doug Porter that Terry and I attended. It was so amazing. I truly miss Patterson’s,
My parents ran a business just down the road from Patterson’s..my dad and I would snow plow the yard with a 1950’s army truck. Prior to being a restaurant it was a diner style on the west side of the building..it had rounded glass panels with pedestal seating at the counter. I believe there was a garage on the other end.
Our broom ball team used to have the end of the season dinner there, first place I ever ate scallops.. Ahh the 70’s..
Dannette added:My mom worked at Patterson’s Restaurant in it’s hay day but, nobody went to dinner Christmas Eve because it wasn’t open Christmas Eve. Patterson’s was an old garage, the one dining room was built right over the grease pit but, that was before the environment agency became strict.
We ( high school kids) used to go there for a special date night or for a bunch of us to meet up on Saturday nights! This was early 60s!
It was a special place and we were always treated like royalty!
Grace von Moltyn
My husband worked for NT. In the early 1980s he travelled to Perth quite frequently to buy batteries from a supplier there for his Company. On his many trips to Perth, I travelled with him & would stop & have a coffee & muffin on Main Street; & then go into the shops there & about, while he went about his business. We always went to Patterson’s for lunch before our return to Montreal. The food, service & ambiance was superb. Great memories of a time gone by
An unbelievable fine restaurant and the piece de resistance was their desserts especially the greatest blueberry pie ever made, of course the strawberry and pumpkin pies were five star.
I’m surprised that no one burned it down while it was a vacant, derelict building. It was torn down several years ago and now is a vacant lot with a for sale/lease sign. I highly doubt that anyone would build on this site again.
My guess is, if the owner could not pay his sales tax, then he probably did not have any insurance, and probably cannot afford to demo the building either. I bet if you checked with the Town of Perth, they would have more information. Of course, that is all just a guess….there are often several sides to any one story. Many people admire the restaurant and wonder what is going to happen to it.
Anyone who buys this property would have to have deep pockets considering the oil pit is still under the floor. The Environental people would make the new owners clean it up. I do believe this is the biggest reason nobody has bought this property .
My mom worked at Patterson’s Restaurant in it’s hay day but, nobody went to dinner Christmas Eve because it wasn’t open Christmas Eve. Patterson’s was an old garage the one dining room was built right over the grease pit but, that was before the environment agency became strict. if you wanted more information she could probably tell you.
Thank you.. I had so many people tell me they went there Christmas Eve so I will add this and correct it.. You should write her memories down and send them to me sav_77@yahoo and I will credit you.. thank you so much
It was such an awesome place to work! Such good work ethics and excellent quality food and service. Almost makes me cry how it was stripped down to nothing and destroyed!!
I remember my mom working there and me standing in the window the day terry fox ran by the restaurant I think of that often even though I wasn’t very old then
My parents, Don and Joan Smith were the chefs there. My dad worked there when he was a teenager and it was a gas station.
I grew up there with my sisters.
My Mom worked as a waitress there for something like 30 years, from when it was owned by Sandy Patterson. I worked there as a dishwasher when I was 15, back in the 80’s. Really appreciate this article. Knowing the place well, I found the photos haunting although very interesting. It still feels strange, surreal actually, to drive by and see it in the state it’s in, when it was such a booming place for so many years.
I believe Patterson’s was founded in the late sixties or early seventies by Rollie Doucette, who was also the owner of one of Ottawa’s top 3 restaurants, the Town and Country, located at Carling and Richmond Road. I worked at Ashton Press and several of us used to go there everyday for lunch. My boss at Ashton Press, John Taylor, was a true food connoisseur, and a friend of Rollie’s and advised him on menu items, etc. I had my stag party at the Town and Country in 1965. Rollie’s wife Dorothy lived at Waterside Residence in the last year or so, but I never got a chance to touch base with her.
I have fond memories of the pink cloth napkins and fancy atmosphere. Also the best soups ever! 
lindaseccaspina 
My guess is, if the owner could not pay his sales tax, then he probably did not have any insurance, and probably cannot afford to demo the building either. I bet if you checked with the Town of Perth, they would have more information. Of course, that is all just a guess….there are often several sides to any one story. Many people admire the restaurant and wonder what is going to happen to it.
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Anyone who buys this property would have to have deep pockets considering the oil pit is still under the floor. The Environental people would make the new owners clean it up. I do believe this is the biggest reason nobody has bought this property .
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agreed 100%
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There are always two sides to a story..like the old stone church in Almonte:( NOt easy these days:(
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My mom worked at Patterson’s Restaurant in it’s hay day but, nobody went to dinner Christmas Eve because it wasn’t open Christmas Eve. Patterson’s was an old garage the one dining room was built right over the grease pit but, that was before the environment agency became strict. if you wanted more information she could probably tell you.
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Thank you.. I had so many people tell me they went there Christmas Eve so I will add this and correct it.. You should write her memories down and send them to me sav_77@yahoo and I will credit you.. thank you so much
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It was such an awesome place to work! Such good work ethics and excellent quality food and service. Almost makes me cry how it was stripped down to nothing and destroyed!!
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me too:(
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I remember my mom working there and me standing in the window the day terry fox ran by the restaurant I think of that often even though I wasn’t very old then
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Thanks Kathy for the memories
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My parents, Don and Joan Smith were the chefs there. My dad worked there when he was a teenager and it was a gas station.
I grew up there with my sisters.
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My Mom worked as a waitress there for something like 30 years, from when it was owned by Sandy Patterson. I worked there as a dishwasher when I was 15, back in the 80’s. Really appreciate this article. Knowing the place well, I found the photos haunting although very interesting. It still feels strange, surreal actually, to drive by and see it in the state it’s in, when it was such a booming place for so many years.
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I agree.. all we have now are memories:(
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I believe Patterson’s was founded in the late sixties or early seventies by Rollie Doucette, who was also the owner of one of Ottawa’s top 3 restaurants, the Town and Country, located at Carling and Richmond Road. I worked at Ashton Press and several of us used to go there everyday for lunch. My boss at Ashton Press, John Taylor, was a true food connoisseur, and a friend of Rollie’s and advised him on menu items, etc. I had my stag party at the Town and Country in 1965. Rollie’s wife Dorothy lived at Waterside Residence in the last year or so, but I never got a chance to touch base with her.
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Is this place haunted?
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I have not heard anything about it.. sorry.:(
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Drove by the old restaurant on November 19, 2019 and the building is gone! It must of been demolished just recently.
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Reblogged this on lindaseccaspina.
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