As Piccolo Pete's restaurant, at 20th and Martha streets, prepares to close, Omaha diners are rushing to have one last dinner there.
New Year’s Eve will be its last party.
The owners decided to close the dining room of the restaurant because it has seen fewer guests in recent years.
But there might be a different future for Piccolo's if on grandson has his way.
Scott Sheehan's grandparents opened the restaurant in 1934.
“This family photo was probably about 25 years ago,” he said of one of the framed pictures on the wall.
These days, customers who've watched him grow up have come to say goodbye.
“And its changing. But that's the way it is," said one diner.
“I wish somebody would be able to take it over and keep it up and running," said another.
In 2016, the next chapter begins.
“We're going to evolve," said Sheehan, who already operates a Piccolo's food truck that caters events.
He's working on a plan to turn the restaurant into a banquet and party room.
“You're talking about eight generations of people that have been eating here. Anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, receptions, all the different history and all the different people we've had the opportunity to take care of, so being able to extend that and carry it on to the future means a great deal," he said.
He's meeting with investors and family about the idea. He says New Year’s Eve won’t be the last party under the chandeliers.
“It’s bittersweet. We're sad to close down the family dining part of our restaurant, but we're looking forward to the future."
For right now, Sheehan says everyone at the restaurant is focusing their efforts on its last days. Then, they'll take some time off to start the year before starting work on their new venture.
