Sadlack’s Heroes on Hillsborough Street will officially close Dec. 31, after 40 years of service at its current location. Owner Rose Schwetz is moving her restaurant business to the Berkeley Café on Martin Street in downtown Raleigh.
“I’m happy and sad,” said Raleigh resident Linda Eddins. “I’m sad that they’re leaving this iconic spot, but I’m excited that they are moving and not closing.”
Eddins, a retired North Carolina Department of Transportation employee, said she used to walk to Sadlack’s about every day for lunch. She has been coming to the Hillsborough Street location since it opened in 1973.
Both Sadlacks and the Berkeley have experienced hardships recently, according to The News & Observer. The economic downturn struck the Berkeley, which had to close its adjoining 200-person-capacity music room this past summer to make way for a tobacco store. Sadlack’s is one of several businesses across from the Bell Tower that will have to close by the end of this year to make way for construction of a 125-room hotel and retail complex, owned by N.C. State.
Schwetz said she spent months looking for a new location on Hillsborough Street for Sadlacks but was unsuccessful. She eventually settled for the Berkeley.
“I’d like to have another Sadlack’s somewhere,” Schwetz told the N&O. “Maybe someday. But right now, my only way to stay alive is to get the Berkeley up and running.”
Schwetz plans to remodel the Berkeley by enlarging the kitchen and sprucing up the back patio. She said she plans to continue to book live bands there.
Some Sadlack’s regulars responded the same way as Eddins: sad about the move from the restaurant’s iconic location but happy Schwetz is staying in business.
Michelle McKay has been coming to Sadlack’s since the early ‘90s, and said she is optimistic about the move.
“I live closer that way and so do a lot of the [regulars],” McKay said. “You’re going to see a lot of the same people at the Berkeley Café, I think.”
Still, McKay said she’ll miss the view she’s enjoyed for 20 years.
“I think it’s sad because I’m going to be missing looking at the Bell Tower, and this is definitely a unique building,” McKay said. “There are people that have been coming here for decades.”
McKay said there’s a running joke among the regulars, who will often call each other to see who is at the restaurant for the night.
“Everyone always says ‘heroes,’” McKay said. “There’s nothing but heroes here.”
McKay said her favorite parts of Sadlack’s are the people, the staff and the Bingo nights.
“We found out a couple weeks ago that Rose Piggins is continuing to do the Bingo when they move to Berkeley,” McKay said. “The whole place went up in applause. No one wants to miss Monday night bingo.”
Eddins said the she will probably continue to regularly eat at the Berkeley but that will depend on the parking downtown. Her favorite parts of the restaurant are the people and the eclectic environment.
“It has changed a ton since the beginning,” Eddins said. “It has gone from basically a dive to a really nice bar. It’s like night and day.”
Eddins said she thinks N.C. State students will be the most upset about Sadlack’s move downtown.
“I know the state students will be heartbroken when they can no longer get these wonderful sandwiches so close,” Eddins said. “They’ll have to take a hike. I’m just happy that it’s going to live on.”
