'End of an era': West Akron institution Larry's Main Entrance to bid adieu Dec. 29

Alan Perella, owner of west-side institution Larry's Main Entrance, will be hanging up his hat Dec. 29 after nearly 40 years in the bar business.

"We're looking for a different way of life because I'll be 60 this year," Perella said of his and his wife Charlotte's decision to close Larry's, located at 1964 W. Market St. in Akron, before the new year.

"I've done this for 39 years. I've always worked nights," said Perella, who has been a bartender since 1984.

For the last nine years, the couple, who married 15 years ago, have been working at Larry's together. In fact, they had their first kiss standing right near the bar.

Perella's family has owned Larry's since his father Harry bought it in 2002. He and his brother Anthony bought the restaurant/bar from their father nine years ago and ran it together a couple years before Alan became the sole owner.

Larry's Main Entrance originally opened in 1977 and was owned by Larry Smith. The watering hole was long known as a late-night place that served breakfast into the wee hours of the morning.

Perella, a movie buff, has put his own stamp on the place, displaying his collection of old movie projectors on shelves around the dining area and behind the bar, along with vintage movie posters, such as one of Boris Karloff from the 1939 film "The Man They Could Not Hang."

Another big conversation piece at Larry's is a large green and white porcelain sign saying "Eat. Open 24 hours. Akron's Finest Grill," which had been a fixture on a building downtown on South Main Street since the 1950s. Perella installed that on a wall near the back door in 2008, when he was the Larry's manager.

Favorite of regulars

Larry's, which has the look of a long, narrow English pub, has stained glass decorative accents and a big wooden bar. It's a place where regulars like to park themselves.

Early in the evening Sept. 29, Dave Olivo of Akron, who's been coming to Larry's for a good 15 years, said he makes sure he shows up at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays so he can get a seat at the bar.

"On a given night, when the bar's full, I'll know 75% of the people here," he said. "There's no place like this."

Olivo made a joke, and Perella responded to the punchline from behind the bar with a rimshot on a snare drum and a small cymbal crash. Perella keeps the drum set pieces, which he rescued from the garbage curbside, under the bar for such impromptu comedy routines.

"We have regulars who've come in for so long and you know them so long, you develop banter and inside jokes," Perella said.

In another tradition, bar patrons have watched "Jeopardy" with Perella every night at 7:30 p.m. for 20 years.

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Reasons for closing

So why is Perella closing Larry's?

"All my life, I've worked nights, really," he said.

"I've eaten almost no meals sitting down in 20 years," said the restaurant owner, who until recently offered both lunch and dinner at Larry's.

Since COVID-19, Perella's had a hard time getting kitchen staff. His wife, who's taken over the kitchen, is currently working it singlehandedly. As a result, in August, Larry's reduced its menu and hours, opening at 3 p.m. and serving dinner only.

The couple was tired of working nights and were thinking about closing the restaurant. Then, they learned the parking lot a couple lots east that they rent weekly from LRC Realty for customer use may not be accessible for much longer.

"Representatives of the company have said to us that there will be development there shortly, and that will make parking inaccessible," Perella said of the 18-car lot behind LRC's gravel lot up for lease at the corner of Frank Boulevard and West Market Street.

Tyler Terhune of LRC did not return a call to comment on what type of development was planned.

End of an era

Property owner Ed Snyder said the Larry's closing is the end of an era.

"If you've ever been on the west side, you've been there," he said.

Snyder has owned the building that houses Larry's since the 1980s. Before 1977, it was home to the Main Entrance Lounge.

Snyder said he is open to selling the building but only to a buyer who will not tear it down.

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Sad thought of goodbye

Valery DuBoise of West Akron has been patronizing Larry's for 25 years. She met Perella when he worked at the old Arnie's nearby and followed him to Larry's.

"It's gonna break my heart," when Perella closes, said DuBoise, who said being a regular there has been a joy.

"I really love the way he decorates this place. He puts himself in it."

Larry's will have a going-away party Dec. 29 with drinks and a DJ. The party won't include food so Charlotte can enjoy it, Perella said.

On Dec. 30, he'll sell glassware, furniture and more from the restaurant and bar from noon to 5 p.m. But he'll be taking his memorabilia, including the many movie projectors and posters, home with him.

Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Larry's Main Entrance in West Akron to close at the end of 2023