Effie’s, which has been a staple in Center City for 27 years, will soon close, writes Michael Klein for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Effie Bouikidis, the restaurant’s owner, explains her decision to close due to being tired.

She weathered the pandemic, but is tired of rising costs and low margins. She is also responsible for raising twin teen daughters.

Once closed, it will be a major move for Bouikidis, as she has been a part of Washington Square West since the early 1980s. Then, her father Paul, opened Pine Street Pizza just down the block from Effie’s. It closed in 2015, six years after his death, and the space is now home to Kiddo.

“I’m sad,” Bouikidis said. “So many memories. So many customers are my friends.”

Effie’s will officially close its doors on Saturday, August 3.

The sale agreement for the building includes the 65-seat restaurant and the patio out back alongside the alley. Bouikidis noted that the prospective buyer has an entirely new concept planned.

While she is unsure what’s next, Bouikidis said she wants to get into interior design.

Read more about Effie’s and its imminent closure in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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