Silver’s Restaurant In Southampton Closes Its Doors After 96 Years

After nearly a century of service, Silver’s restaurant on Main Street in Southampton Village has closed its doors.

“After 96 years in business — of which I’ve personally been involved for 57 years, of running a successful and gratifying business — I thank all our friends and patrons for good will, and our success,” said owner Garrett Wellins.

The luncheonette space has gone through its fair share of changes, starting off as a cigar shop, then transitioning into a clothing store, and finally progressing into the restaurant the village patronized for the past five decades.

Silver’s first opened in 1923, in its first iteration as a cigar shop, and was run by Max and Mollie Silver — the original location is next door, where Southampton Cheese Shoppe is today.

In 1955, Garrett’s father, Daniel Wellins, bought the restaurant from his maternal grandparents. The Wellinses were tailors in Southampton, and Silver’s was turned into a clothing shop after falling on hard times.

Silver’s transitioned into a restaurant in 1966 and moved into its current location in the 1970s.

After 57 years in the family business, Garrett Wellins planned to retire in September 2018 and put the business up for sale. His son, Ryan Wellins, planned to take over the luncheonette after the threat of the business’s leaving the family became imminent. He ultimately decided that he did not want to take over the restaurant business, and Garrett Wellins decided to sell it, which he has successfully done. The new tenants, whom he didn’t identify, will be moving in this December.

Silver’s stopped serving lunch earlier this month. Artwork that has been on display in the restaurant throughout its long life is currently for sale. Those interested can stop by the restaurant and take a look, while they last.

The collection includes oil paintings, Russian samovars, and a variety of books.