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The
Ark restaurant has been part of my life since I arrived in Fort
Lauderdale 33 years ago when it opened. I have taken many friends there
over the years. On February 29, 2000, I celebrated my "Sweet 16" Leap
Year birthday with a party there for good friends. In the top picture on
the left is a money balloon which was one of my presents!
When
it first opened it was a restaurant known for its theme and all prices
ending in 2. They had 3 delicious cuts of Prime ribs: Lion, Lioness and
Cub. The lion was a 32 ounce piece of meat that melted in your mouth
that was attached to a bone you wanted to gnaw on for days! One time I
went there and it came without a bone and, upon asking the waiter, was
told that there were using the bones as an 'early bird special' of bbq
ribs. You didn't want to hear me talking to the owners that night! Back
in those days they had an elaborate salad bar with a full wheel of
cheddar cheese in addition to the many flavored butters. They eventually
added the buffet. When I read the following article I thought of all
the good times I had there and all the good people I shared meals
with--I will miss The Ark!
The Ark in Davie to close Saturday after 34 years
By John Tanasychuk
Staff writer
4:30 PM EDT, October 11, 2012
After nearly 34 years, The Ark restaurant in Davie will serve its last buffet customer Saturday night.
“The
economy went south on us,” says Jimmy Kleinrichert, who owns The Ark
with his brother Jerry. “We do a great buffet, but we haven’t had enough
business for more than a year now.”
Known
for its prime rib and cold seafood buffet, Kleinrichert says
competition from the chains got the best of them. “Customers can go to
Chili’s and places like that and have two dinners for $20,” he says. “I
don’t blame them. I can’t compete. I’ve got to do volume to make money.”
Five years ago, the 300-seat restaurant often served 500 people on weekend nights. Now, it’s closer to 200 people.
“God’s been good to me for 33 years,” says Kleinrichert. “I’m 73 and my brother is 75. We’re tired.”
The
Ark employs more than 60 people, many of whom have worked for the
Kleinricherts since their 1978 opening. Some are ready to retire, while
the brothers are helping others find work.
“It’s
just like losing your family," says Kleinrichert. "I lost my son to
cancer 30 years ago and that was the hardest thing I ever did in my
life. This is the second hardest thing that’s happened to me.”
The
Kleinricherts own the building that houses The Ark and have put it up
for sale. They hope a much younger buyer brings in another restaurant.
“I should have retired five years ago,” he says “when the economy was going crazy.”
