Closing the Family's Restaurant, Tony's Place, Tough Decision for Demir Family

Dan Demir, the son of the late Tony Demir, said he reluctantly closed his father's namesake restaurant, Tony's Place, in July.

"It was the toughest decision I ever had to make," said Demir, who lives in Fitchburg, and who contacted Milford Patch Thursday.

Demir said he and the staff tried to keep the restaurant going after his father's death, but it wasn't the same. The restaurant was a second-home for his father, Demir said, and growing up, he said his family spent most of its holidays there, including Christmas dinner.

Tony's Place operated for 15 years in Milford, in a tiny space on Main Street. Six days a week, Tony Demir worked in his restaurant, creating most of the dishes himself. The restaurant was known for its fried fish and chips, and for breakfast.

"He worked so hard, for so many years," Demir said.

The restaurant closed on July 8, about three months after his father's death. All of the photos and memorabilia inside — including the Three Stooges and Elvis photos contributed by customers over the years — have been saved by the family.

Demir thanked the Milford area customers for their patronage over the years, and said it was difficult to close, because several of the staff, including some of the waitresses, had worked there for years.

"It wasn't the same without my Dad, even though we tried."