{"id":246854,"date":"2014-01-03T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-01-03T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/customers-went-from-high-chairs-to-bar-stools\/"},"modified":"2014-01-03T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2014-01-03T08:00:00","slug":"customers-went-from-high-chairs-to-bar-stools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/customers-went-from-high-chairs-to-bar-stools\/","title":{"rendered":"Customers went from high chairs to bar stools"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Gathering closes after 28 years in Uptown<\/p>\n

By Sandie Torres | SDUN Reporter<\/p>\n

A local favorite nestled on the corner of Goldfinch St. and Washington Ave. in Mission Hills, The Gathering has served San Diego families for almost three decades. As it prepares to close its doors on Jan. 5, those who made The Gathering so well loved looked back upon their experience.<\/p>\n

\"Dan<\/a>
Dan Thomas (middle) with several staff members at The Gathering (Photo by Hutton Marshall)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cMy favorite part of working here are the customers,\u201d Restaurant Manager Jack Coleman said. He and his wife Wendy Coleman, head waitress, have worked at The Gathering for a combined total of nearly four decades.<\/p>\n

Patrons became regulars at The Gathering because of the welcoming reception of the proprietor and staff. Once, in 1996, a patron asked if he could have one of the small American flags that decorated the windowsills. The flag was for his dying father, a Lt. Colonel of the U.S. Marine Corps. His request was generously granted. When the World War II veteran passed, that flag was placed over his heart in the coffin.<\/p>\n

This is a bittersweet time for owner and San Diego native Dan Thomas. He has been in the restaurant business for forty years and attributes his success to \u201cthe value of being nice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to look [the customers] in the eye, remember their name, treat them as if they are family,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n

Thomas has the experience to back that up. He entered the restaurant business at age 15, remaining loyal to the industry while putting himself through San Diego State. He took an opportunity to run his own restaurant in Florida in 1980 before returning to San Diego to open The Gathering.<\/p>\n

Thomas will remain the landlord for the location\u2019s new owners, siblings John and Jill Ealy. He hopes to reduce his stress levels in light of his diagnosis with Parkinson\u2019s disease, and he\u2019s optimistic about his future plans. Thomas hopes to continue his motivational speaking, do some traveling, and, as he\u2019s quick to show the restaurant\u2019s patrons, develop his magic-trick performances. Still, with plans for the future, the bond he\u2019s formed with The Gathering and its customers is very strong.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have seen people go from high chairs to bar chairs\u201d said Dan of his many customers.<\/p>\n

In the past 28 years, the long-loved restaurant has survived two locations, a yearlong fire restoration and street construction that nearly blocked the entrance. In spite of all the challenges, The Gathering has become a staple of Mission Hills.<\/p>\n

Friends, old and new, will have an opportunity to celebrate The Gathering\u2019s legacy on Jan. 5 from 5 \u2013 8 p.m., when Thomas will be serving complimentary appetizers to as a fond farewell to customers.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note: While this article looks at the legacy The Gathering leaves behind, look forward to\u00a0 coverage this month about what\u2019s in store for the location\u2019s future. <\/i><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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