Patrons Sad to See Wheeling Restaurant Uncle Pete’s Go
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Enjoying a BLT sandwich while overlooking the Ohio River Thursday afternoon, Ron DiProsperis said he will be among the hundreds who will miss the food and atmosphere of Uncle Pete's restaurant once it closes this weekend.
"It's just such a nice place. The location here is so wonderful, where you can look out over the river," DiProsperis, a Wheeling resident, said. "I think it's just a terrible shame."
Citing an inability to agree on a new lease with the owner of the building at 753 Main St. in North Wheeling, the owners of Uncle Pete's have decided to close on Saturday. The business owner declined to comment Thursday, but a statement circulating on both social media and on flyers inside the restaurant refers to failing to reach a "fair monthly rental agreement."
"The new owners appear to have other plans for the building that do not include us," the statement reads. "We are truly devastated that after 18 years of a very successful business, we have to close because of something like this."
As DiProsperis and his wife, Diane, enjoyed their lunch Thursday, they wondered why the closure had to occur.
"The service is wonderful, the food is wonderful, the location is wonderful," Diane DiProsperis said. "I just can't believe it's really going to close."
"There just aren't that many places in the downtown area to go, anyway," Ron DiProsperis added. "It's sad."
According to documents filed in the Ohio County Clerk's Office, the building is now owned by Brenda Alvarado of Elkins, W.Va. Efforts to contact Alvarado Thursday were unsuccessful.
Several others on hand Thursday enjoyed what would likely be their last visit to Uncle Pete's, as the outdoor deck area was crowded throughout the day.
"They have very good food here," Moundsville resident Shirley Gump said. "This is really disappointing. We were hoping they could work something out."
Wheeling resident Chris Leonard said she will miss overlooking the river while eating the restaurant's crab-stuffed shrimp.
"It's always been a great atmosphere," she added.