Restaurant Closes and Takes Final Swipe at Locals: ‘Thanks for Never Supporting Us’
An Italian restaurant in north London closed its doors with a farewell message that turned heads. Don Ciccio in Highgate thanked locals for “never supporting us” after six years in business. The message appeared online after the closure, where the owners listed every group they felt had been ignored. It’s rare for a business to end with that kind of honesty, and the internet quickly took notice of their parting words.
Restaurant’s Final Goodbye Sparks Attention
Don Ciccio in Highgate didn’t go quietly after closing its doors. The Italian restaurant left a farewell message online that caught everyone’s attention. It thanked locals for “never supporting us” and mentioned groups it felt had been ignored. The post spread fast, drawing mixed reactions. Some found it brutally honest; others thought it went too far. Either way, the farewell gave people something to talk about long after the lights went out.
Owners Thank Locals for Their Absence
The owners didn’t hold back when saying goodbye. Their farewell message thanked locals for “never supporting us,” turning what could’ve been a quiet closure into something unforgettable. They mentioned neighbors who ordered elsewhere and groups that ignored their offers to collaborate. It read more like a letter of frustration than a farewell. The post surprised many because it came straight from the heart, written with a mix of sarcasm, humor, and disappointment.
Highgate Community Called Out Online
Locals in Highgate didn’t escape mention in the restaurant’s farewell post. The message called out neighbors for skipping their tables and ordering from other places instead. It even thanked them sarcastically for their “commitment to distance.” The note spread online fast, sparking conversations about how small businesses struggle to get steady support. People couldn’t ignore how direct the message was, and many shared it just for how bluntly it called out the community.
Lockdown Support Fades After Reopening
The owners didn’t forget the lockdown days. They reminded everyone that during that time, they were one of the few restaurants still open, serving meals when most others closed. But once restrictions ended, they said locals never came back. The message felt personal, like they were speaking to faces they remembered. It showed how quickly things changed once normal life returned, leaving the restaurant wondering where that support had gone.
Public Message Aims at the Highgate Society
The restaurant also mentioned the Highgate Society in its farewell post. The owners said they never received a response after reaching out to the group about possible collaborations. That line caught attention because it called out a well-known local organization. The Society later replied, saying they were sorry about the closure and explained that their work relies on volunteers. It added a polite but distant tone to a situation already filled with frustration from the restaurant’s side.
Strong Ratings Couldn’t Keep Doors Open
Don Ciccio didn’t struggle with bad reviews. The restaurant held high ratings for years, with 4.6 stars on TripAdvisor and 4.7 on Google. It even earned Traveler’s Choice awards from 2023 to 2025. The owners said that even with good feedback and seasonal menu updates, customers still weren’t coming in. It showed that praise online doesn’t always match what happens inside a dining room, where empty tables tell a different story.
Farewell Letter Highlights Frustration
The farewell letter didn’t hold back on emotion. The owners said they closed due to a lack of customers and wrote that indifference, not bad food or bad reviews, led to their end. They shared that they changed menus often and maintained high ratings, yet still couldn’t fill seats. The tone felt tired but honest, and it read like something written after years of effort that just never got noticed.
Local Group Responds to the Restaurant’s Statement
The Highgate Society eventually shared its side after being mentioned in the restaurant’s post. The group’s chair, Andrew Sulston, said they were sorry to hear about the closure. He explained that the Society runs entirely through volunteers, so not every request can be answered. His statement felt calm and respectful, a contrast to the tone of the farewell letter. It showed how both sides had very different ways of looking at the same situation.
Community Reactions Still Rolling In
People are still talking about Don Ciccio’s farewell message. Some say it was too harsh, others think it was just honest frustration. Either way, it struck a chord far beyond Highgate. Locals, business owners, and even food lovers from outside London are weighing in online. The story reminds everyone how fragile small restaurants can be, and how a simple post can leave a lasting impression long after the doors close.