Gage and Tollner facts for kids
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Gage and Tollner Restaurant
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Gage and Tollner in 1987
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 Location in New York City
Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 372 Fulton St., New York, New York |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1875 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003362 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 3, 1982 |
Gage and Tollner was a famous restaurant in Downtown Brooklyn, New York. It first opened its doors in 1879. The restaurant was located at the same spot on Fulton Street from 1892 until it closed on February 14, 2004. The building itself is even older, built around 1875.
Contents
Restaurant History
Starting Years
The building where Gage and Tollner was located was built in 1875. It was first a home before becoming a restaurant. It's a four-story building made of brownstone, designed in a style called late Italianate. The front of the building, with its fancy columns, was likely added in 1892. Inside, the restaurant kept its original Victorian look, including special wall coverings.
The story of Gage and Tollner began in 1879. Charles Gage opened an "eating house" in Brooklyn. In 1880, Eugene Tollner joined him. By 1882, the restaurant was known as Gage and Tollner's. Eugene Tollner's father founded a hardware store that later became Hammacher Schlemmer. The restaurant moved to 372–374 Fulton Street in 1892. Many famous people visited, like Diamond Jim Brady, Jimmy Durante, and Mae West.
Gage and Tollner sold the restaurant in 1911. They made sure the new owners would not change the inside or the name. The restaurant was sold again eight years later. The Dewey family bought the whole building in 1923. They ran the business until 1985. Even after selling, Charles Gage and Eugene Tollner kept working there until they passed away. In the 1950s, the restaurant was known for its "turtle soup weather." This meant they made their own turtle soup from live turtles during colder months. For a time, the restaurant had a policy that meant some customers were not served. This policy changed in 1960.
Later Years and Closing
The restaurant started to face challenges around 1976. Fulton Street became a walking area, which made it hard for taxis to drop off customers. In the 1980s, Peter Aschkenasy bought the restaurant and building. He brought in a famous chef, Edna Lewis. She added Southern dishes to the menu, like cornbread, catfish, and a special "she-crab soup." However, the area around the restaurant had also changed. It became harder to attract customers, especially at night.
The restaurant went out of business in 1995. It was then bought by Joseph Chirico. Even trying things like valet parking did not bring in enough customers. Gage and Tollner finally closed its doors on February 14, 2004.
After Gage and Tollner closed, a T.G.I. Friday's restaurant moved into the space. T.G.I. Friday's left in 2007. Later, an Arby's fast-food restaurant opened there in 2010. But the Arby's also closed in August 2010. By 2012, the space was used by a discount jewelry store. Many of the old, beautiful parts of the restaurant were removed or covered up.
Restaurant Revival
In 2018, there was exciting news about bringing the restaurant back. People started a project to raise money to restore it. In July 2018, The New York Times reported that three restaurant owners wanted to reopen Gage and Tollner. They planned to make it an "old-school house of chops and oysters," keeping its classic style.
In January 2019, it was announced that the owners had signed a lease for the building. They were still deciding if they would keep the original name. Their plans for the restaurant needed approval from the city. They hoped to have a large dining room, a bar area, and private dining rooms. A new "Gage & Tollner" sign was put up in January 2020. The grand reopening was planned for March 15, 2020. However, it was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inside the Restaurant
The interior of Gage and Tollner was very special. It had 36 light fixtures that could use both gas and electricity when they were installed in 1888. The new restaurant will only use electricity. The restaurant also featured cherry wood mirrors and tables made of mahogany.
In 1995, Joseph Chirico made some changes to the restaurant. He closed it for several months for renovations. He said he wanted to keep the historic feel of the restaurant while adding modern comforts.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it is a place important to the history of the United States. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission also named the interior of the restaurant a landmark in 1975. It was one of the first interiors in New York City to get this special protection.
What People Thought
Many people loved Gage and Tollner. Milford Prewitt, a writer, called it one of the most "romantic dining environments in the city." He said it was a top spot for marriage proposals. Another writer, L.J. Davis, said that people went to Gage's (as regulars called it) for the experience. He compared it to going to heaven for the climate and to hell for the company, meaning the atmosphere was truly unique.
