The landmark Ariston Cafe, located on old Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois, and owned by the same family for 90 years, has been put up for sale for $1.2 million.
The restaurant was listed on an online real-estate site here by Jim Simpson and Shannon Simpson Hall of Century 21 in Litchfield.
Ariston co-owner Nick Adam, reached by phone Sunday, confirmed the decision to put the restaurant up for sale came about six weeks ago, but not without “a lot of tears. It was an emotional decision.”
“It’s time to sit back,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for 48 years. But it’s definitely bittersweet. It was a difficult decision to make. I’m hoping some Route 66 aficionado can take it over. We’ve met so many wonderful people over the years.”
Adam, 76, insisted his decision to put the restaurant on the block is not health-related. But he noted running a restaurant is “a very demanding business. It’s hard to raise a family with that.”
On a related note, Nick Adam said Paul Adam, a third-generation manager of the Ariston, is not interested in taking over because of the time demands. “He’s a stay-at-home dad when he’s not here,” he said. “He wants to try something different.”
The listing includes the restaurant’s old-school counter seats and wooden booths that have been lovingly maintained over the years. The restaurant seats 200 and, according to the listing, generates $1.3 million in annual sales.
The restaurant also is almost directly across the street from the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center.
The Ariston started before Route 66 existed, in Carlinville, Illinois, which wound up being on the original alignment of the Mother Road in that region. The Ariston moved to Litchfield in 1935, a few years after Route 66 was realigned there.
The Ariston was included on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006 and was inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame in 1992.
(Hat tip to Peter Stork; images of the Ariston Cafe by Larry Myhre and John Hartnup via Flickr)
Surprised yes and no. What a fantastic place and the Adam family even more so. My heart goes out on the tough decision having to be made, but understanding so. Other things in life need to be experienced.
Best wishes and thanks for the wonderful times and memories !!
Rich H
This is a bit of a surprise, but running a restaurant is *very* hard work. While disappointed it won’t stay in the family, I can certainly understand and appreciate their perspective! Thank you for the warm welcome & memories we took away from the Ariston, and here’s to hoping a new loving owner shows up soon!
I worked at the Ariston for eight wonderful years I have been gone from there for a year now to be a stay at home mom and to see this my heart breaks because that was my second home they are all still my family. But you live life only once and they have dedicated themselves for so many years yes it is time to finally relax. I love you all so much.
Many thanks to the family for years of wonderful service to Route 66 travelers.
And here’s hoping it finds a new owner who cares as much about the business as this family did.
We have enjoyed eating at the Ariston since we both were kids and hope who ever buys it they will keep it as it has been for all of these years ! The food has always been great and we have met some great servers through the years. Being self employed is very hard we have been ourselves for many years and it does take away your time. But also it comes with a lot of rewards !!! So we wish the family the best of luck selling it and for them to have many years of freedom !!! 🙂