2008 Woodie Awards
Embers closes after 50 years
10 End of an Era
By: David Harris
Issue date: 1/7/08 Section: Year in Review
Originally Published June 27.
Staff Reports
It had been called an icon and a landmark during the last 50 years.
But since June 30, all that remains of The Embers Restaurant is the memories.
As the doors to the Embers, 1217 S. Mission St., closed for the last time, the impact it has had on generations of people fully became realized.
Owner Jeff Tuma said the realization of what the Embers meant to people did not really sink in until the announcement to close it was made.
"I didn't think about until afterwards - I started hearing people calling it an icon," he said. "When I hear people say 'Mount Pleasant will never be the same,' it's amazing and it's humbling."
In 1958, the first customer told founder and former owner Clarence Tuma, Jeff's father, exactly what he thought of the experience.
"I still remember exactly what he said," Clarence said. "He told me 'You have created simple elegance.' It's something we've strived for ever since, and I'm proud that my son was able to carry on that tradition."
Jeff became owner of the Embers in 1987.
But fine dining has become a thing of the past, Jeff said. He said people go out to eat out - they do not have time to dine out.
There was a new concept in the works to revitalize the Embers, Jeff said.
"It would have been unlike anything in town, but it wouldn't have been the Embers," he said.
The Embers is what it is and the most important thing is to preserve the memory, Jeff said.
"We're going out on high side," he said. "Like Michael Jordan (the first time he retired)."
Many memories
Clarence said it had been 49 years of wonderful memories - good and bad.
He said one of the most memorable moments was when Jimmy Carter's wife came to visit for the National Special Olympics.
Carter's wife approached him and asked him for the recipe for the famous peas and peanuts. Clarence declined, even after she mentioned her husband would be President soon, he said.
Staff Reports
It had been called an icon and a landmark during the last 50 years.
But since June 30, all that remains of The Embers Restaurant is the memories.
As the doors to the Embers, 1217 S. Mission St., closed for the last time, the impact it has had on generations of people fully became realized.
Owner Jeff Tuma said the realization of what the Embers meant to people did not really sink in until the announcement to close it was made.
"I didn't think about until afterwards - I started hearing people calling it an icon," he said. "When I hear people say 'Mount Pleasant will never be the same,' it's amazing and it's humbling."
In 1958, the first customer told founder and former owner Clarence Tuma, Jeff's father, exactly what he thought of the experience.
"I still remember exactly what he said," Clarence said. "He told me 'You have created simple elegance.' It's something we've strived for ever since, and I'm proud that my son was able to carry on that tradition."
Jeff became owner of the Embers in 1987.
But fine dining has become a thing of the past, Jeff said. He said people go out to eat out - they do not have time to dine out.
There was a new concept in the works to revitalize the Embers, Jeff said.
"It would have been unlike anything in town, but it wouldn't have been the Embers," he said.
The Embers is what it is and the most important thing is to preserve the memory, Jeff said.
"We're going out on high side," he said. "Like Michael Jordan (the first time he retired)."
Many memories
Clarence said it had been 49 years of wonderful memories - good and bad.
He said one of the most memorable moments was when Jimmy Carter's wife came to visit for the National Special Olympics.
Carter's wife approached him and asked him for the recipe for the famous peas and peanuts. Clarence declined, even after she mentioned her husband would be President soon, he said.
