Andrew Z. Galarneau: Once an Allentown staple, The Towne Restaurant ends its run

The Towne Restaurant, once an essential round-the-clock hub in Buffalo’s buzziest cross-streets, is dead. It was 51.

It was founded by Greek brothers George and Peter Scouras. For decades, it was an essential part of an Allen Street evening, a punctuation mark on an evening that might include Mulligan’s Brick Bar or The Pink. Its omelets, pancakes, souvlaki, coffee refills, and especially rice pudding made 151 Allen St. a welcoming haven and refueling stop for many a Buffalonian.

It had been for sale, noted Joe George, the Elmwood Village photographer, minister and career cook. A customer since 1980, George noted its role in Buffalo dining culture. The Towne was the “springboard for many other Greek emigres who worked there before opening their own restaurants.”

“Thank you, Scouras family, for the great meals and memories.”

The Towne’s closure had many ingredients. Dwindling third-shift work as industry left Buffalo hurt. Changing financial factors and the economic whiplash of the pandemic hurt. Jim’s Truck Stop on Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga is still open 24 hours. It is among the last – if not the last – of its kind in town.

While the cause and manner of death are pending, the Towne’s demise was sudden.

WKBW excerpted a letter from co-owner Eleni Konstantopoulos, daughter of the late co-founder George Scouras, in its story on the Monday discovery.

“There were several factors that played into our decision to close and end operations at the restaurant,” the letter said. “We apologize for not notifying the closure at an earlier date. We would like to thank each of you for your dedication to our restaurant while you were our employee.”

Restaurants, made of humans, exhibit similar life-cycles. Announced to best wishes, born easily or without significant complications, they live, they serve, then die.

The best restaurants make the penultimate part last for generations. At the Towne, business-capable immigrant cooks…