Valentine's Day signals a bittersweet goodbye for employees at the Old Spaghetti Factory, a downtown eatery.
The 20-year-old restaurant, known for its hearty, affordable portions and spacious interior stuffed with eclectic antiques, will close its Pete Rose Way location after tonight's dinner shift to make way for the new football stadium.
The restaurant's Portland, Ore.-based parent company, OSF International Inc., is looking for other locations in Tricounty and Covington, but relocating will take at least six months, the local general manager said.
Meanwhile, the 75 employees, many of whom have worked at the restaurant for several years, will have to find other jobs.
''I don't know exactly what I'm going to do after this,'' said Jaime Gray, a 21-year-old hostess and secretary at the restaurant who is supposed to give birth to a baby girl in two weeks. ''It's scary knowing that I won't have a paycheck coming.''
She said she's angry at those involved in the stadium deal for taking so long to make a decision. The company didn't receive official word that they had to move until two weeks ago.
''We probably could have had another store opened and ready if they could have made up their minds about whether we would have to move or not.''
Hiram Campbell, the kitchen manager at the restaurant that serves an average of 850 to 900 dinners Saturday nights, was angry about the stadium too.
''I don't think they (the Cincinnati Bengals) deserve a new stadium,'' he said. ''They need to prove something to me - at least make it to the playoffs.''
But mostly, the Kansas City Chiefs fan will miss the friends he's made during the 512 years he's worked in the kitchen.
''This is my second home,'' he said. ''I love the people. That's why I come to work every day.''
The breakup of this ''family,'' as seven-year prep cook Clara Palmer calls her fellow employees, will culminate with a staff party after tonight's shift.
Lane Simpson, the restaurant's general manager, said the restaurant has a loyal clientele that has left notes on napkins asking the company to stay in the area.
''The company's excited about the possibility of staying in the Cincinnati market,'' he said, but not downtown. ''There aren't any locations downtown that are favorable at this time. Plus, what if you guys build another stadium?''
The green trolley car, in which customers are seated and served, the plush purple velvet-covered lounging couches and even the mahogany staircase will be auctioned Feb. 21, beginning at 10 a.m.
''Everything to the bare walls'' will be auctioned, Mr. Simpson said, noting that the massive wood panels that cover many of the walls and the fireplace mantels will be sold.
Worley Auctioneers is handling the event. Contact 583-9278 for more information.
