After three floods, the sinking of the I-90 bridge and 22 years of food, fun and camaraderie, Lombardi’s Italian restaurant in Issaquah is saying goodbye.
It’s not personal. Owner Diane Symms said the entire property her restaurant sits on is going to be redeveloped thanks to the passing of the Central Issaquah Plan, which will allow multi-story use. The 7-acre parcel is for sale.
“The landlords were not willing to sign a new lease,” Symms said. “And, we could not find an affordable building to buy. We’d like to stay in Issaquah, but there’s no affordable property.”
She knew this was coming, so she started shopping around and found a “perfect” piece of property in Mill Creek. She opened Lombardi’s there in September 2012, adding to her Everett location which just celebrated 15 years of waterfront dining.
Symms sold her Ballard restaurant in 2010 after 23 years.
“It’s (Mill Creek) doing well — it’s a great location,” she said.
It wasn’t easy getting the Issaquah restaurant open originally. Five days before Symms was scheduled to open, Issaquah Creek flooded the place. It was the second flood that year. She had just put in new hardwood floors, and had to do them all over again. Then, the I-90 floating bridge sank.
Issaquah creek makes two 90 degree turns near Lombardi’s. With an early deep snow, followed by a pineapple express, Lombardi’s is at the mercy of the creek. Symms said she was flooded again in 1996 and 2009.
The water reached 3-feet in the restaurant one time.
“I had FEMA insurance, but they weren’t going to pay all of the claim,” she said.
She sued the federal government and won, but it took two years off of her life she said.
Symms won’t miss the floods, but she will miss her customers. A group of teachers from the area come every Friday night for happy hour. One group of locals have met for what they call “Martini Tuesday” for all 22 years.
“We have wonderful employees — some are coming to Mill Creek, but others won’t because of the commute,” Symms said.
She said she will still honor her $10 off dinner-for-two for folks holding tickets to Village Theater, an offer she has had for many years.
Symms said she will also miss their patio, and the beauty of Issaquah, but she’s taking her olive trees with her.
Symms’ daughter, Kerri Lonergan-Dreke, who has worked in the business with her mother for 26 years, and is now her partner, will slowly take over the helm at the remaining restaurants.
“I’m looking at one step closer to retirement,” Symms said.
Over the years she has also been taking about 16 people to Italy in the fall on a personalized tour, visiting wineries and some of her food connections. This year, Lonergan will go instead, as the group visits Rome, Naples and the Amalfi coast.
Customers will still be able to enjoy favorites such as chicken marsala, tortellini gorgonzola, fresh salmon picatta and homemade tiramisu until July 28 when Symms will close the doors for good.
“I believe the key to being successful is excellent food, made from scratch, good value, personalized service, friendly service – and servers and staff who appreciate the customer,” Symms said.
