Shades at Seaside last day 12/31/05

I heard that they weren't serving dinner on NYE - they're having a private party for staff, owners, etc.

Even if you don't like Shades, go read the letter that they've inserted into the menu. It'll make you sad if you like the old Seaside better than what Seaside is becoming.

Some of us like the old South Walton better than what it is becoming...all the trees are being destroyed!

Some of us like the old South Walton better than what it is becoming...all the trees are being destroyed!

Shades is a restaurant, Shade is provided by trees.

Of course I know Shades is a restaurant...I live here. I was expanding on the idea: some of us like the old Shades, the Old Seaside, the old Seagrove Market, better than all the new things; AND, many, many, trees are being destroyed to make way for all the new stuff we don't like as well as the old.

Will be missed as well as all the other "old" things.

I can't even express how saddened and disgusted I am over the closing of Shades. I have so many memories of this place over many years and it was usually the first place we went after arriving. BR--Can you give a synopsis of the farewell letter in the menu? I won't be down until July, so it's the end of Shades for me. So sad.

I can't even express how saddened and disgusted I am over the closing of Shades. I have so many memories of this place over many years and it was usually the first place we went after arriving. BR--Can you give a synopsis of the farewell letter in the menu? I won't be down until July, so it's the end of Shades for me. So sad.

Basically the letter said they thank all of their faithful customers for appreciating Shades and becoming a part of the character that has made Shades what it is. They also acknowledged that they were being forced out of Seaside. IMHO Shades has a laid-back atmosphere and a casual menu that is becoming harder to find, as opposed to the plethora of upscale restaurants in the area.

Basically the letter said they thank all of their faithful customers for appreciating Shades and becoming a part of the character that has made Shades what it is. They also acknowledged that they were being forced out of Seaside. IMHO Shades has a laid-back atmosphere and a casual menu that is becoming harder to find, as opposed to the plethora of upscale restaurants in the area.

Your humble opinion is exactly right. I have even had to resort to going to Taco Mac to get the Shades sweet pepper house salad dressing. (I think the Taco Mac chain has the same owners, or so I've heard.)

Your humble opinion is exactly right. I have even had to resort to going to Taco Mac to get the Shades sweet pepper house salad dressing. (I think the Taco Mac chain has the same owners, or so I've heard.)

I love that dressing. I plan to steal my last bottle between now and Saturday.

I feel the same about loosing the old Shades - it was just a great relaxed place to sit outside and enjoy a great lunch.

Shades at the loop has a totally different atmosphere - and somehow sitting out looking at 98 does not do it for me - if you know what I mean?!?!?!?!?

I used to work at Shades...And yes, two of the owners are the same guys who own the Taco Mac Chain. It is so sad they are being forced out of Seaside...where else in Seaside are families going to eat? Most families cannot afford to eat at Bud and Alley's every nite...and don't want to eat at Pickles

With the closing of Shades and the Village Market my first thought was to take photos so in the years to become we can look back and remember the wonderful times spent at these great sowal icons!

Sad. 1st the Wheelhouse burned down and now Shades is closing. My 12, 9, and 5 year old kids are very sad. Many memories going to both for many years.

But with changes you can't stop it you just have to embrace it. Besides, my kids (me and Gumwoman) love Pickles and will like any place that will serve wings, burgers, pizza, and/or french fries (oh yeah and cold beers and bloody marys).

We will have to find other places to create memories and we will try the "new" Shades.

I used to work at Shades...And yes, two of the owners are the same guys who own the Taco Mac Chain. It is so sad they are being forced out of Seaside...where else in Seaside are families going to eat? Most families cannot afford to eat at Bud and Alley's every nite...and don't want to eat at Pickles

Yeah, and isn't a burger and fries at Shades virtually the same price as just a burger at Pickles? IMHO Pickles is overpriced for what you get and the eating-in-a-restaurant-without-actual-walls ambiance.

seagrover we are doing a last lunch there tomorrow

I had lunch there today and took some pics. All of Seaside was packed like a Summer day.

Jfunn, save me a seat!!! One last salad!!! Yum!!!

The "newer" people don't realize it, but the same sad feeling over losing some great "people places" happened in a small, friendly beach-side town not so many years ago--the town was called....Destin.

All of Seaside was packed like a Summer day.

:shock:

I had lunch there today and took some pics. All of Seaside was packed like a Summer day.

Yeah. We saw you there shooting up the place with your young'un in tow.

bet the new resturant is mostly empty and gone in 6 months - how about a sit-in to show the seaside establishment some grass roots discontent

seeing sj and kurt handcuffed together being carried out of a sit-in to protest shades closing? - priceless!

There is a farewell party at Shades tonight for invited guests. The popular Seaside restaurant is closing on Jan. 1. The owners, brothers Joe and John Freer, and Greg Wakeman, aware of changes in Seaside that would result in the closing of their restaurant and opened Shades at the Loop in Inlet Beach last June.
The new restaurant, at the junction of U.S. Highway 98 and 30A has been busy, but with the closing of the Seaside restaurant, general manager Daniel Casares expects many more customers to search out the newer location.
?I will bring many of the staff from the Seaside location and that will help, I think,? Casares said.

we just got back from the last average meal at shades.
and there was no note...FYI.

Here's the farewell letter.

we just got back from the last average meal at shades.
and there was no note...FYI.

Kurt took the letter.