[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 134 (Tuesday, October 24, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1893-E1895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            REGAS RESTAURANT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2000

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, one of America's finest dining eateries, 
Regas Restaurant, in Knoxville, closed its doors after 81 years of 
service to East Tennessee.
  The Regas family has had a tremendous impact on the lives of just 
about everyone in the community. I can assure you that I am a true 
example of that as I met my wife, Lynn, there. Many families have made 
dozens of memories that will be cherished for a long time.
  Regas Restaurant was always the place to go for a special event, 
anniversary, or birthday.
  Frank and George Regas began the Restaurant in July of 1919 as a 
coffee shop named the Astor Cafe. It later became known as the Regas 
Brothers Cafe. The restaurant was renamed once again in 1938 as Regas 
Restaurant. From then until now, the family business has changed, but 
their attentiveness to every person that walked through their doors 
will always be remembered.
  Bill Regas, son of Frank Regas, began helping out in the restaurant 
in the 1950's up until

[[Page E1894]]

Regas closed its doors in July, and he served as President and CEO of 
the restaurant for many years. Mr. Regas has had quite a number of 
accomplishments, not just locally, but nationally:
  He was a charter member of the Knox County Industrial Development 
Board;
  He earned the Knoxville ``Young Man of the Year'' in 1955;
  He was President of the National Restaurant Association from 1980 to 
1981;
  He was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 
1992; and
  He was recognized by the International Food Manufacture Association 
with the Silver Platter Award for ``1992 Nation's Independent Operator 
of the Year.''
  I want to say thank you to Mr. Bill Regas and the Regas family and 
bring to the attention of my colleagues and other readers of the Record 
several articles from the Knoxville News-Sentinel praising their 
service to the citizens of East Tennessee.

           [From the Knoxville News-Sentinel, June 23, 2000]

 Food, Good Friends, Memories Make Saying Goodbye to Regas A Difficult 
                                  Task

                          (By Walter Lambert)

       The announcement was simple and straightforward. On July 8 
     Regas Restaurant on Gay Street would close forever.
       That left me in a major dilemma. First, the logical part of 
     my brain keeps telling me that this is just a business. It is 
     just a place where people go to eat and visit. It is just a 
     place.
       However, the emotional part of my brain tells me I am about 
     to lose a life-long friend, and I am bereft.
       The Regas family has been operating a restaurant at this 
     place for 81 years. Folks, that is more years than even I 
     have been alive.
       Now I know that this does not mean that we are losing these 
     good folks to the restaurant business in Knoxville (or around 
     the Southeast for that matter). They will still operate the 
     absolutely wonderful Riverside Tavern and the ever-improving 
     Harry's (now to be known as Regas Brothers Cafe).
       Again, the logical side of my brain tells me that we will 
     still have the pleasure of dining with them. My emotional 
     side is not satisfied.
       Maybe I should start this at the beginning. The first 
     ``real'' restaurant I can remember going to was the Regas. I 
     went with my grandmother when I was 6 or 7 or 8. It still had 
     a lunch counter then. Of course, it also had a
       Imagine if you will a 7-year-old boy who is still skinny 
     but already greatly interested in food. Think of him walking 
     through a working kitchen in a real restaurant and, even 
     further, think of him being with his grandmother who knows 
     the people in the kitchen by their first names. I have not 
     forgotten those memories.
       Like everyone else in and around Knoxville, Regas was a 
     special-occasion kind of place. It was also where you went on 
     Sundays after church. It was where you went for birthday 
     parties or new jobs or . . . I doubt I need to continue.
       In today's world, 81 years is a very long life for a 
     restaurant. This is especially true for a restaurant that 
     remains family-owned and operated. This is an institution. I 
     ate my first broiled steak there. Before this, I thought 
     steaks were pounded within an inch of their life and cooked 
     with a brown gravy.
       I must make a small confession--and I am willing to bet 
     that there is a whole generation of Knoxvillians who would 
     make this same confession. I genuinely loved the veal cutlets 
     at Regas, which they served with meat sauce. Again the 
     logical side of my brain tells me that meat--breaded, fried 
     and covered with meat sauce--makes no sense at all. We ate 
     them anyway, didn't we?
       We also ate clam chowder that was good enough for a 
     president's inauguration. We had flounder brought fresh from 
     Boston (when that was still a big deal). We also ate bread. I 
     think I first tasted a hard roll at Regas. We also ate 
     muffins.
       I always thought that serving those blueberry muffins was a 
     very bad business decision for the Regas family. What a 
     dessert they made.
       I have contended in recent years that Regas was the only 
     place left in Knoxville that knew how to cook vegetables. I 
     have made a lunch of vegetables and good bread at Regas on 
     many occasions.
       The Regas family for three generations has been there to 
     make us feel special. My wife, Anne, and Frankie Regas 
     Gunnels go back to high school together. We have all gotten 
     to know Kiki Regas Liakonis, and Bill and Frank and Gus 
     Regas, and all the rest. Now we admire the way the new 
     generation has taken the torch. We know how much this family 
     has meant to this community and to all of us.
       I know that these good people have made a rational business 
     decision that reflects the changing way people live and eat. 
     I know they will still be part of our lives through their 
     other fine restaurants. I know that they will still be a 
     major asset in this community.
       However, I also know that I will not go past the corner of 
     Gay and Magnolia without thinking of times and people long 
     gone. I will remember good times and good meals. I will 
     remember many special times in my life. And I will be sad 
     that this place is there no more.

                                  ____
                                  

           [From the Knoxville News-Sentinel, July 10, 2000]

   Closing of Regas is bittersweet for many people with fond memories

       Editor, the News-Sentinel: Since the sad announcement that 
     Regas would close July 8, everyone in Knoxville made a 
     pilgrimage there for one last memory. One week a group of 
     bankers and former bankers gathered once again to make 
     another memory.
       Twelve of us sat at the same three tables in the bar that 
     we used to sit at every Friday from the mid '70s to the late 
     '80s. We laughed all night at the stories we told about when 
     we worked for the United American Bank and the World's Fair.
       As usual, the always gracious Bill Regas came by to say 
     hello, as well as his son, Grady. We expressed our thanks to 
     Bill for all the wonderful memories we had made over the 
     years at his restaurant. We had hosted many luncheons and 
     dinners there for retirements, promotions, committees and 
     recognition events.
       We brought many dignitaries there during the World's Fair. 
     Dinah Shore, Bob Hope, Andy Warhol, Jane Pauley, Bryant 
     Gumbel, Lorne Greene, Peter Maxx, Wayne Rogers, Lloyd 
     Bridges, Dolly Parton, Red Skelton and Ray Stevens all dined 
     there, as well as ambassadors from China, Peru, Japan, 
     Australia, France and Germany. The Lord Mayor of London was 
     impressed with Regas and made this observation: ``In England 
     we eat to live, but in America everyone lives to eat.'' How 
     true.
       Many of the founding Christmas in the City committee 
     meetings were held at Regas in the '70s. Bill Regas was one 
     of the first downtown businesses to sign on as a corporate 
     sponsor. Kiki Liakonis organized the first Greek pastry sale, 
     which was always a huge hit. The Regas family never said no 
     to any worthy cause.
       Regas will always be a part of Knoxville's heritage as the 
     best restaurant in town for many years where everyone has 
     celebrated birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and 
     weddings. Regas always made everything special because of its 
     gracious owners, the hospitable staff, the excellent food and 
     the commitment to quality.
       We will certainly miss the Regas brothers and their family 
     at Regas. Thanks to all for 81 years of wonderful memories.
                                                    Dorothy Smith,
                                                        Knoxville.

                                  ____
                                  

                        Regas Restaurant lauded

       Editor, the News-Sentinel: The announced closing of Regas 
     Restaurant saddened all of us. Our family's memories with 
     Regas date back over 50 years. I had even committed the Regas 
     telephone number to memory. It is always the perfect place 
     for a special occasion, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. My 
     wife, Judy, and I enjoyed our first dinner date at Regas. It 
     is truly the gathering place.
       What made Regas so great? The obvious answer is their 
     special attentiveness to their guests. Bill and Gus Regas set 
     the tone. Kiki Liakonis was ever so gracious. One shall never 
     forget Hazel Schmid, the most wonderful, friendly hostess. A 
     special mention to the professional, skilled waitresses--
     Trula Lawson and Phyllis Whitt.
       I must tell this story: Back in the '50s when Regas was 
     open for Sunday lunch, our church, First Baptist, had a 
     special relationship. Bill Regas was a member of First 
     Baptist and a good friend of our pastor Dr. Charles A. 
     Trentham. Trentham's sermons were always timed so we would 
     barely beat the other churchgoers to Regas. Needless to say 
     this accounted for some of the good attendance at First 
     Baptist.
       My father, Robert L. Johnson, best summed up my impression 
     of Regas. While dining at Regas with only a short period of 
     life left, he mentioned to Bill Regas that, if heaven didn't 
     have a Regas Restaurant, he wasn't sure he wanted to go.
       Thanks to the Regas family for so many special memories.
                                                 Joseph L. Johnson
                                                         Knoxville

                                  ____
                                  

       Editor, the News-Sentinel: Talk about memories. There are 
     not too many old-timers like us left who remember Regas 
     Restaurant years ago.
       I go back to when we moved to Oak Ridge in 1943 from Akron, 
     Ohio. My husband and I, being from Georgia and Tennessee, 
     wanted to bring our sons ages 3 and 6 back south.
       One of our special treats was going to the University of 
     Tennessee football games and dinner after the games at Regas. 
     My brother and his family also moved back. We were very 
     close. They had two girls 6 and 9. Regas always was a special 
     birthday place for all.
       On Dec. 17, 1999, I lost my brother at age 96 on his 
     birthday. Regas was always his favorite place to go on his 
     birthday--the prices reasonable, food great. Our favorite 
     song was ``Happy Days are Here Again.'' Now our sons are in 
     their 60s with grandchildren. I'm sure they would love it.
       Take it back, Grady.
                                                      Vera Roberts
                                                         Knoxville


[[Page E1895]]


                                  ____
                                  

                   [From the Knoxville News-Sentinel]

                   Regas Closing Gay Street Landmark

                          (By Mike Flannagan)

       Regas Restaurant, which has epitomized five-star dining in 
     Knoxville for more than eight decades, will close July 8.
       In a way, its passing marks the end of an era, but the 
     Regas family will retain a presence in downtown dining even 
     after the restaurant that brought them to prominence closes 
     its doors.
       ``We're transferring the spirit of Regas to the Riverside 
     Tavern (on the downtown waterfront) and Harry's,'' said Grady 
     Regas, chief executive officer of Regas Brothers Inc.
       The first Regas Restaurant opened July 7, 1919, on the 
     north end of Gay Street. It will close 81 years and one day 
     later.
       ``We will celebrate up until the door closes,'' Grady Regas 
     said.
       Harry's by Regas, 6901 Kingston Pike, will be renamed Regas 
     Brothers Cafe, which was an early name of the original 
     restaurant, and some dishes from the Gay Street menu will be 
     added to that of the Cafe eatery.
       Restaurant staff members from the original Regas will be 
     relocated to one of the two remaining restaurants, Grady 
     Regas said.
       Greek immigrants Frank and George Regas opened their 
     original restaurant as an 18-stool coffee shop at the corner 
     of Gay Street and Magnolia Avenue two blocks from the 
     Southern Railway Station. The descendent of that coffee shop 
     seats 350 in the dining room and 100 in the Gathering Place 
     lounge, part of a 1978 expansion.
       The restaurant became the ``gathering place for fine 
     dining'' in Knoxville when the owners introduced tablecloths 
     in the ``early '50s,'' according to Bill Regas, president 
     emeritus of Regas Brothers Inc. Back then, he said, people 
     used to dress up and go out to eat, but that has changed to 
     more casual attire.
       ``We used to have women lined up in dresses outside of the 
     restaurant before the football games on Saturday,'' Bill 
     Regas said.
       The company's board of directors made the ``tough 
     decision'' to close the restaurant during a meeting Monday.
       Bill Regas, who has been identified with the restaurant 
     since the 1950s, was clearly emotional over the announcement 
     of the closing and referred most questions to his son, Grady.
       Besides cultural changes, Regas Brothers Inc. cited other 
     reasons for closing the restaurant and refocusing attention 
     on the Riverside Tavern and Harry's
       The original restaurant's future appeared prosperous when 
     one possible site for the new convention center was on nearby 
     Jackson Avenue. But when the Public Building Authority 
     instead selected World's Fair Park for the convention center 
     and Interstate 40 work changed access to the front of the 
     restaurant, its fate became sealed, Grady Regas said.
       ``This is not like a car wreck,'' he said. ``We have 
     anticipated this (closing) for a long time.''
       Rumors have circulated that Grady Regas would buy the now-
     defunct Great Southern Brewing Co. on Gay Street across from 
     the newly restored KUB building.
       ``We looked and still look at every business opportunity,'' 
     he said. ``But until a deal is a deal, there is nothing to 
     talk about.''
       Regas Brothers Inc. has talked with several ``interested 
     parties'' about the purchase of the Gay Street building.

                                  ____
                                  

            [From the Knoxville News-Sentinel, July 5, 2000]

                          Lingering Affections

                           (By Louise Durman)

       ``Remember when'' will be the passwords at Regas Restaurant 
     Saturday, June 8.
       With the closing of the down-town landmark, guests will 
     share memories of a first date, an anniversary, birthday or 
     special occasion party.
       Regas celebrates its 81st anniversary on Friday, so this 
     will be called ``the anniversary weekend.''
       Among the family members hoping to be at Regas Saturday 
     night will be Bill Regas, chairman emeritus of Regas Brothers 
     Inc.; his son, Grady Regas, current CEO; and Gus Regas, vice 
     chairman emeritus.
       Reservations for Friday and Saturday have long been filled. 
     In fact, since the announcement in June of the restaurant's 
     closing, reservations for lunch and dinner every day have 
     filled quickly by those who want ``one last chance'' to dine 
     there. Serving time has been extended daily to try to serve 
     those who want to come.
       ``The outcry, love and affection have been unbelievable,'' 
     says Grady Regas. He is asking customers to write down 
     favorite Regas memories to possibly use in a book someday.
       Regas will continue to own and operate Riverside Tavern and 
     the current Harry's by Regas. Harry's is scheduled to be 
     changed in the fall to Regas Brothers Cafe, an early name of 
     the original Regas Restaurant that opened July 7, 1919, on 
     the north end of Gay Street. ``It (Harry's) will be more 
     casual, far friendlier,'' says Grady Regas. Harry's will be 
     remodeled for a better traffic flow, he adds.
       Regas will honor its commitments for private parties at the 
     restaurant and its other restaurants. Catering by Regas will 
     continue, and manager Carla Humbard is booking events.
       The Regas building on Gay Street is up for sale. After the 
     closing, paintings, sketches, furniture and equipment will be 
     moved to other Regas facilities. Many of the employees will 
     be placed in one of the two other restaurants.
       Thirty-five former employees gathered at Regas last week 
     for a final dinner. Trudy Lawson, who worked there as a 
     server and cashier for 38 years, was among those who helped 
     organize the farewell.
       Bill Regas and other family members stopped by to say 
     hello. The employees enjoyed sharing reminiscences of their 
     years at the restaurant.
       ``Our message,'' says Grady Regas, ``is we're still the 
     same family, same team, and we have the same spirit.'' He 
     describes it as a family in transition, moving from one house 
     to another.
       ``When we have asked people, `What does Regas mean to you?' 
     no one mentioned the building.''
       He says that regular customers who have been accustomed to 
     having a special table and certain servers will be taken care 
     of in the other restaurants.
       Many of the menu items from Regas will be integrated into 
     Riverside Tavern and Harry's which is becoming Regas Brothers 
     Cafe.
       Going to Riverside will be the Mediterranean chicken salad, 
     strawberry shortcake, smoked salmon and many of the famed 
     ``features of the day.''
       The Harry's location will get the scrod, red velvet cake 
     and some featured items. Once it becomes Regas Brothers Cafe, 
     which will be open for lunch and dinner, it will serve the 
     scrod, New Zealand lobster, prime rib, crab cakes, baked 
     potato, red velvet cake and blueberry muffins.