Out and About

Two longtime Raleigh restaurants close doors

Gateway Restaurant and Oakwood Cafe have closed. Each has been in business for decades.

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By
Kathy Hanrahan, Out
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About editor
RALEIGH, N.C. — The COVID-19 pandemic has shuttered two more Raleigh restaurants.

After 35 years in business, Gateway Restaurant has closed at 2411 Crabtree Blvd., owners Martina Brooks and Tom Rohweder announced via Facebook Tuesday.

The two took over the restaurant from their father, Hans Rohweder in 2000. Hans had been running it since 1985.

"Gateway has truly been a family business in every sense of the word," owners wrote on Facebook. "Customers who came for their first breakfast or lunch returned again and again until they become friends and “Gateway family.” Known for comfort food in abundance it was a great place to start the day or enjoy a lunch break. For many people, Gateway has been a home away from home, 'where everybody knows your name,' a place to relax and a haven for hugs and humor."

The restaurant closed its doors temporarily on March 17 when Gov. Roy Cooper issued a stay-at-home order due to COVID-19.

"Now, two months later, our world has forever changed. A reopening of restaurants is anticipated soon. Evaluating what the new normal is going to look like has been heartbreaking. Having worked tirelessly for years, we have thought long and hard about how to bring our team safely back to work. The time has come to make a decision which will assure the well-being of our employees as well as our customers. With that in mind, we are at peace with our decision to close Gateway’s doors, knowing that new doors will open for all of us," owners wrote.

The Oakwood Cafe has also closed its doors, Triangle Food Guy aka Sean Lennard reported Wednesday. The Cuban and Argentinian restaurant had been open at 300 E Edenton St. for the past 21 years.

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