Eckart's Luncheonette, Westhampton Beach landmark, closing after 115 years

Eckart's Luncheonette, a Westhampton Beach landmark run for 115 years by four generations of the same family, has been sold and will cease operations under the current ownership next month, according to a post on the restaurant's Facebook page.

Eckart's, at 162 Mill Rd., will have its last day under current ownership on Feb. 17, though the owners pledged in social media posts they're leaving the luncheonette "in good hands."

"We want to say thank you to the community for supporting us all this time and to the many friends we have made along the way, thank you for being by our sides," the post on the luncheonette's Facebook page read.

Founded in 1911 by Jacob Eckart, the luncheonette first operated as a barroom called the Outside Inn.

According to a history posted by Eckart's, the bar was transformed into Eckart's Soda Shoppe during Prohibition and, in 1949, Warren (Red) Eckart took over the operation from his father, running it with his wife, Shirley, as they raised six children, turning the soda shop into Eckart's Luncheonette.

The Suffolk County Film Commission, promoting the luncheonette as a prime historic filming location, notes on its official website: "It is an original old fashioned soda shoppe style luncheonette. The decor includes tin ceilings, wooden fans, tiled flooring, mahogany booths, marble counter tops with a tile basin which holds old fashion soda jerk handles, a root beer barrel and a coke machine. The original wooden phone booth still stands along with a 1920s cash register.

"It is like taking a step back in time."

Eckart's menu features all-day breakfast dishes, among them Red's Power Breakfast (two eggs with a short stack of pancakes, toast, home fries, choice of bacon, sausage or ham, a large juice and coffee) and Shirley's Famous Omelet Breakfast, a bacon, cheese and tomato omelet with toast, home fries and a choice of bacon, sausage or ham, with a large juice and coffee.

"Like my grandfather Red always said, 'If these walls could talk,' " the Facebook post of the sale said, adding: "They would talk about all the laughter they heard, the decades of families & friends holding each other up in hard times, celebrating milestones, and filling up with good food, hot coffee and conversation. We are grateful for our history and lives spent in Westhampton Beach!"