‘We’ve had a good run and end on a positive’
A WELL-KNOWN and much-loved family-run Indian restaurant in Leicester has closed its doors after 27 years.
Namaste, in Hinckley Road, was opened in April 1994 by Dwijendra Dey, but has now closed following his retirement at the age of 75.
The business became a local staple, growing a loyal customer base over the years, but to the disappointment of many, the Dey family announced that it would close earlier this month.
In a heartfelt message to customers shared on the restaurant’s website and Facebook page, they said: “As a family, we’re truly so grateful for your custom, support, and love over the many years.
“Namaste was much more than a restaurant to Dwijendra, where he very much saw his customers as family too.
“He can recall the names of many that have come through his doors, seen generations of families grow and come and dine in for a curry.
“From students at Leicester University coming in with their parents, through to now coming in with their children and three or four generations of family.”
Namaste opened for the final time on Sunday, October 24, with Dwijendra retiring to “focus on his health”.
RESTAURANT CLOSES AFTER 27 YEARS AS
Namaste was much more than a restaurant to Dwijendra, where he saw his customers as family too
Speaking to the Mercury, his wife Dipti, 63, said: “So many of our customers grew old with us and after we announced we were closing, lots of our old customers came back for a meal or a takeaway with their families.
“It was so touching. We’ve had a good run this past 27 years and we’ve ended on a positive”.
The message was met with an outpouring of love from customers on Facebook.
One response said: “My most favourite restaurant since I arrived in Leicester to start at De Montfort in 1993. I remember my first visit in the spring of 1994 with the university judo squad
“My two children have grown up loving Nameste too and we will all be sorry to see the doors shut for the final time.”
Another said: “We are sorry that you are closing, we have been coming to the restaurant for many years as a family with our children and then our grandchild.
“Wishing you all well, and a relaxing retirement for Mr and Mrs Dey.”
Dipti Dey