CARBONDALE, Pa. — A different kind of sign sits outside The Ben Mar Restaurant in Carbondale. It signifies the end of a business that's been a part of Dominic Zazzera's family for more than six decades.
"We're just taking things apart and getting ready for the sale. And every time I touch something and move something, another tear comes out of my eye," said Dominic Zazzera, owner of the Ben Mar Restaurant.
The Ben Mar started as a dream for Zazzera's mother and father.
"This was an old railroad building, and he bought it off the railroad, and they ended up opening the restaurant in 63', December 3rd," said Zazzera.
A dream that grew to support his own family as they served the living and the dead.
"The biggest joke was, to people are dying to get in here because every time somebody died, they had their funeral here. But thank God we got their siblings to come in," said Zazzera.
"He wasn't chasing me around anymore, I was old enough to where I was actually able to help," added Nikki Zazzera.
Nikki Zazzera is the third generation to join the family business. He said it's a job that prepares for life in and out of the restaurant.
"There is a void left, but at the same time, there's hope for the future. You know, I truly am a believer. One door closes for another one to open."
As for Dominic, retirement is in the near future, but the lessons he's learned from the business will stick with him forever.
"You know, I can't say it enough. The education that I got here was tremendous. It was, couldn't buy that kind of education," described Zazzera.
The historic building has been sold to the Carbondale YMCA. The Zazzeras will auction off everything inside on Monday, November 18th.