Pictured: Euphemia Haye will be remembered for their delicious meals and stunning presentations.

For the past 50 years, Euphemia Haye has been a go-to for fine dining in our community. This iconic restaurant has served as a vital gathering place for special occasions and has attracted visitors globally with its distinctive cuisine and atmosphere.

Late last month, the beloved restaurant abruptly closed without warning, leaving only a note on the door that read it was closed for the evening and apologized for the inconvenience. It never reopened.

In response, former employee Teal O’Fee launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the 35 displaced staff members as they search for new employment. O’Fee shared this heartfelt message:

“A few of you have reached out to us individually and asked how you could help. We so appreciate the offers! They mean the world to us—as do you! We have been waiting on some of you and your families for 20 or 30 years. We know your kids and grandkids. We love seeing you come back every season—maybe with a few more gray hairs—on all of us. We are heartbroken. We love the restaurant. We love our coworkers. We love our customers and friends. We love what we do!”

Euphemia Haye was first opened in 1975 by Leslie “Les” R. Buntin, an electrical engineer who named the intimate one-room dining spot after his grandmother. In 1980, Buntin passed the torch to Chef Raymond Arpke and his wife, D’Arcy Arpke, who nurtured the restaurant for 41 years. During their tenure, they expanded seating from 28 to 76 and earned praise from Zagat, Wine Spectator, and Frommer’s Travel Guides. Amy Whitt joined the team in 2007 as an administrative assistant and later became the bookkeeper. When the Arpkes retired in 2021, Whitt eagerly stepped in to carry on their legacy.

Those wishing to contribute to the staff can donate at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/aid-for-our-beloved-restaurant-staff. All funds will be evenly distributed among the team members.

Pictured: Euphemia Haye will be remembered for their delicious meals and stunning presentations.

To donate click here.