After 40 years, this Palm Harbor diner closes for good
By Douglas R. Clifford,
2024-08-30
Server Violet Tusha of Hudson, left, hugs longtime customer Ileana Adams, who was dining with her daughters, Maria Adams, 9, and Francesca Adams, 12, right, at Tiffany’s Family Restaurant during the restaurant’s closing day on Friday, Aug 30, 2024, in Palm Harbor. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Tiffany’s Family Restaurant, a local favorite that opened in 1983 and served up comfort food to Palm Harbor locals and politicians alike, served its last meals on Friday.
The dining room was packed during lunch, with servers hustling to get out orders of pancakes, omelets and biscuits and gravy.
People leave Tiffany's Family Restaurant during the restaurant’s closing day on Friday, Aug 30, 2024, in Palm Harbor. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Maija Goosen and her husband, Ronald Goosen, have made it a tradition to visit the restaurant every Sunday after church and a couple of other times during the week.
“The closing makes us sad,” Maija Goosen said. “We have friends that we have made here. It’s a big family. And you never leave hungry.”
Maija and Ronald Goosen, of Palm Harbor, say a prayer before eating chef salads. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]Lorelei Kuhles, of New Port Richey, sinks into a nap, held by her grandmother, Richelle Damone, of Palm Harbor, while dining at Tiffany’s. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Founders John and Eleni Hittos emigrated from Albania to Chicago in 1963 before settling in Palm Harbor and opening Tiffany’s in 1983. Tiffany’s became a venue for celebrations and political gatherings, reflecting the Hittos’ appreciation for American freedom and democracy.
A picture of Eleni and John Hittos, center, founders of Tiffany's Family Restaurant in Palm Harbor, is displayed over a doorway on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at the restaurant. John and Eleni emigrated from Albania to Chicago in 1963 before settling in Palm Harbor and opening the restaurant in 1983. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]The dining room swells with customers during the lunch hour on Friday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]Customers Rick and Cindy Harris visit with Liz Hittos, center. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Tiffany’s became a destination for local politics, where legislators and their constituents would meet to dine and rally support.
In an email to a Times reporter, Liz Hittos, one of the daughters of John and Eleni Hittos, talked about Tiffany’s role in conservative politics. Liz Hittos is also Republican U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ chief of staff.
“It has not only served as de facto Team Bilirakis HQ, but has helped launch the political careers of prominent Republican officials in Pinellas and Pasco counties from Richard Corcoran to Sheriffs (Chris) Nocco and (Bob) Gualtieri,” Hittos said. “It’s the end of an era.”
Liz Hitto’s sister, Despina Garos, who helps manage the restaurant, said her father established the tradition of only closing the restaurant for two days each year: ”for the birthday of America and the birthday of Jesus Christ,” Garos said.
A collection of veterans' pictures are displayed inside Tiffany's Family Restaurant. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]Chef Cooli Gjerazi prepares a batch of corned beef in the kitchen. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]From left, foreground, Aaron Chin, Alex Wakefield, Mark Bober, Donna Bober, Todd Bober, and May Chin (all) of Palm Harbor dine at Tiffany’s Family Restaurant on the restaurant’s closing day. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]A sign reminding customers of service hours is posted on the front door of the restaurant. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]Whipped cream sits tops a serving of blueberry crepes. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Just after 1 p.m., customer Penny Lee Todd of Palm Harbor arrived at the restaurant wearing her Gus Bilirakis for Congress T-shirt, ready to share some memories.
“I came to tell them I love them,” Todd said. “This place is the heart of Palm Harbor.”
Moments before being seated, Todd paused to share a hug with Liz Hittos, who informed her that the restaurant was out of food, and had served just served its last meal.
Customer Penny Lee Todd of Palm Harbor, left, hugs Liz Hittos before dining at Tiffany’s Family Restaurant during the restaurant’s closing day. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
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