Perry’s closes doors for good Monday, more than a week before annnounced stop date

Perry’s Cafe, the venerated roadside diner on Pacific Highway, closed its doors for the last time on Monday, earlier than expected and ending its 39-year run.

The closure comes more than a week before its previously announced end date of Aug. 15. In a text message, Perry’s owner, Perry Eulmi, said the kitchen staff and servers were burned out. Business had been nonstop ever since Eulmi announced last month she was closing the restaurant and retiring.

“I just didn’t want to jeopardize their health,” she said.

In Perry’s place, a 223-dwelling housing development will be built by Viewpoint Development LLC. Eulmi, who owns the land, decided to lease out the entire site, which includes the restaurant building and a parking lot near Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Part of the mid-century structure, which housed Perry’s and was previously a Sambo’s Restaurant, will be incorporated into the new housing complex.

The restaurant opened on Pacific Highway in 1985. Before Eulmi, her parents owned it.

“We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the thousands of people that have crossed our door during our 39 years in business. Your loyalty and patronage have meant the world to us and it has truly been our pleasure to serve you,” said a sign posted on Perry’s wall several days ago.