Downtown Aiken soon will be bidding farewell to one of its best-known and longest-lasting businesses.
The Stoplight Deli is closing after celebrating its 22nd anniversary earlier this year. June 10 will be the last day of operation for the restaurant at 119 Laurens Street N.W.
"I don't want to be interviewed; I would rather for this to happen very quietly," said owner Teddy Milner when asked why she had decided to shut down the eatery, which was known for its large collection of whimsical salt and pepper shakers in addition to its soups, salads and sandwiches.
The Stoplight Deli's customers, however, were eager to talk and express their dismay.
"It's very sad; it's the end of an era," said attorney Bill Tucker of Hull Barrett. "It's a comfortable place to go and have a good lunch, and Teddy is a good friend, so I've always tried to support her. Sometimes I eat there once a week, and sometimes I often eat there twice a week and sometimes more."
Tucker learned the Stoplight Deli wouldn't be around much longer early last week.
"I found out Tuesday (May 26) when I went in to order, and the staff was pretty teary," he said. "Downtown is going to miss having a deli-type, informal lunch place. It's getting to the point where there are more fine dining places or pizza places around. There's nothing wrong with either one, but after losing the West Side Bowery (in 2013) and now the Stoplight Deli, there is a niche that won't be filled."
Anne Campbell also was unhappy to hear the news about the Stoplight Deli.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sad," she said. "I love going to the Stoplight Deli, I love the food, I love the atmosphere and I love Teddy Milner big-time. It's a meeting place where people feel comfortable in intimate surroundings. To me, it is one of downtown's institutions, and for a lot of people that can't be replaced, no matter what goes in where it is."
Sam Erb, who owned the West Side Bowery in The Alley with his family, purchased the building where the Stoplight Deli is a tenant last year.
"Hopefully somebody will come in there and start new and fresh," he said. "I've got some people that are interested, but I don't know what will happen. The restaurant business is tough, and for it (the Stoplight Deli) to have gone on as long as it has was a good thing. It will be missed in downtown Aiken."
Ron Brennerman of Birds & Butterflies, which is next to the Stoplight Deli and in the same building, described the restaurant as a good neighbor.
"I know a lot of people love going in there, and they are going to be very disappointed when they find out they are leaving," said Brennerman, who owns Birds & Butterflies in partnership with his wife, Dori. "There have been so many times in the 18 years that we've been here that I've gone over there and gotten some type of deli sandwich. We certainly will miss them."
Dede Biles is a general assignment reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the newspaper since January 2013. A native of Concord, N.C., she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.