Dog-gone! Gracie’s restaurant closing after 25 years

Owners Sue and Paul “Archie” Archdeacon didn’t return phone calls seeking comment in time for press deadline — they aren’t open Mondays and Tuesdays now — but a Facebook post over the weekend announcing the couple’s retirement caused hundreds of people to comment and share the news.

“After almost 25 years of the most fun job we have ever had, Sue and I have decided to retire and take it easy,” Archie wrote. “After all these years of rumors it is finally true. Gracie’s Restaurant will be closing Saturday, April 23. We hope anyone who has a gift certificate will use them in our last few weeks. Gracie’s schedule will be Wednesday through Saturday starting March 30. This is a bittersweet decision but we look forward to relaxing nights with a bottle of wine.”

Countless locals and tourists have been doing just that since 1991, and not just with bottles of wine. For 25 years, the place has been putting out solid classics and whimsical creations: all those different breads before supper and the house-made desserts afterward, the steaks, comfort food like the humbly dubbed “nearly famous” mac and cheese, fun kids’ dishes like the shepherds pie “sundae,” and all those creative doggy-named burgers: the Chihuahua, the Airedale, the Boxer, and, of course, the Petey.

Gracie’s has had a dog theme running through its long history ever since the Archdeacons decided to name the place after their yellow Labrador/Airedale mix. That famous beginning is perhaps rivaled only one of the restaurants famous endings: the Doggie Bag dessert, a white chocolate bag filled with mousse and served over hot fudge, accompanied by dog bone-shaped cookies.

The establishment started life in Stowe village at 25 Main St., now the home of Harrison’s. Gracie’s was there for 14 years before the Archdeacons moved halfway up Mountain Road to the big yellow building that had previously housed Whiskers. In 2009, they moved to the foot of Edson Hill.

That’s where they’ll serve their last meal on April 23.

On Facebook, the people commenting are invariably sharing the bittersweet sentiments that Archie expressed: sad to see them go, but glad they get to relax. Many of them are talking favorite meals. A large number of people worked there at one point; 25 years means a lot of local help in the kitchen and dining room.

New Hampshire residents Anita and Harry Flanagan come up frequently to visit their niece (and Stowe Reporter designer) Kristen Braley, and more times than not, would go to Gracie’s. Anita emailed when she heard the news: “The atmosphere made us feel like we were home together. I remember the time I had the meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato ‘frosting!’ Gracie’s is a part of our family memories.”

Archie signed off by thanking more than a dozen people by name “and too many more to mention.”

“Sue and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our loyal friends and patrons who have made Gracie’s possible. We will always remember you all and the many great nights, weddings, parties and events that Sue and I cherish,” Archie wrote. “Lastly and most importantly we want to thank the best staff we have ever worked with. Without you Gracie’s would not have been as successful or as much fun.”