From the brilliant pen of my brother, Gaba Gavi: These last few weeks have been, and will continue to be an emotional whirlwind. While December 19th, 2014 will mark the closing of Gavis Restaurant, something that I have never known life without, I believe the gravity of this event will truly begin to reveal itself for me in the days, weeks, and even years ahead. Whether good, bad, happy, tragic, goofy, pensive, or any other descriptor, my life is my life because of this iconic establishment. Even if its iconic stature is so in my minds eye, just as my 410 grandfather was a giant amongst men. Its impact and reach stretch further than I can probably grasp, but I contend, most such to me. Though each and every one of my family members can stake the same claim. There is no doubt the bittersweet and melancholy nature of the restaurants closing. Each of us would love to have purported the endeavor, seen it grow, expand, and succeed for years to come - but we also have the understanding and realization that there are other steps we must each make in our lives. And so, the restaurant must become part of our past, just as it once was part of our future. I can only speak for myself with respect to the following admissions. While I have no doubt how Gavis has impacted my familys lives, I often wonder what real impact we have had on the community. As a student of business, someone who has walked the path of many creative ventures, and someone who appreciates the building of relationships; I wrench that we had not received more umph over the course of these 33 years. The lack of press, reviews, write-ups, and acknowledgements often sticks in my craw. As we come to our close, I have regularly had the thought, its great getting all this recognition...now that were closing. Truly what I think I yearn for is to know that my family leaves behind a real legacy in the space that it called home. Amidst the people it calls friends and within the community that our family shared its story. Not so much for myself, but for my grandfather Joseph, my grandmother Ida, my mother Zina, my father Isaac. They gave themselves to the trenches of this city at a time when no one paid attention to downtown. They were not shrewd business people, they were humble individuals looking to building a life when the place they once called home didnt allow for such freedoms. They continued to do this all while the city grew around them, and again, for my own admission, I feel the city left them behind. Enter Dustin Alton Strupp, a photographer assigned to shoot for the story to be printed on the closing of the restaurant. A young man who, for the same reason so many have never been to Gavis, just didnt know. He walked through our doors, and his instant gravitation towards our story quashed all the sentiment I had. He was compelled that people should know about Ida Gavi and Zina Gavi. He knew that people should just know. His efforts to make sure the story of Gavis Restaurant was told, and continues to be told, have unequivocally given me the confidence that we made a difference. In no slight to the countless customers and friends that weve been honored to know for years upon years, the fact that this place could move someone so fast, with no connection, is proof that weve done something right. What likely seems like a small gesture if any to Dustin, hes simply doing his job, has provided me with the context Ive been struggling with for some time. It is gratitude that I simply am unaware I can honestly express. The next week and a half is going to be a difficult. Closing the doors will feel not unlike the end of a groundbreaking sitcom for me. Neither the cast, nor the viewers want it to end, but we all understand. And I know what Id like to see on the 19th, on our final day. Id like everyone we know, the hundreds and hundreds of people to take a day off work. Id like them to come and spend the day with us. Relax, enjoy community, share stories with us, with the other friends who are there, eat, drink, laugh, cry - and let our last memory of Gavis be that of what made this place so necessary.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 03:08:11 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015