PITTSTON — Paul Cooper might be a bit sad that Cooper’s on the Waterfront will no longer be a full-service restaurant, but he is looking to the future with enthusiasm.
The business, co-owned by Paul and Jack Cooper, opened its doors in Pittston in 1991. The restaurant eventually expanded to include Cooper’s Cabana and a forest room with a view of the Susquehanna River.
It will now grace the banks of the river as “Cooper’s Catering and Banquet Facility.”
Still, Cooper said, the business’s customer-based focus will continue.
“When people come into our restaurant, they’ve been able to enjoy a meal, a drink, the view of the river,” he said. “Our focus will still be on providing customers with a good experience.”
General manager Nichole Telford said closing the restaurant will make it possible to expand the facility’s catering hours and provide banquet guests with a view of the river.
“I think it’s positive,” she said. “We plan to cater bridal showers, baby showers, weddings, bereavement lunches, corporate events, graduations and holiday parties.”
Cooper said that in anticipation of the transition, a wall had been torn down to provide patrons with a better view of the river.
“In 1991, when we moved here, we did it because of the river,” he said. “The river is spectacular.”
As Cooper made his way around the dining room, it was apparent that in the 25 years the restaurant had operated in the Pittston area, he had done much more than serve good food and gain faithful customers. He had made friends.
Andy and Shirley Bartos, who have been married for 43 years, said they had been coming to the restaurant since it opened.
The West Wyoming couple said that although they certainly enjoyed the food, drinks and atmosphere, they credit the Cooper family for their commitment to service and provision of a friendly atmosphere.
As they finished up their last meal at the restaurant, Paul Cooper bought them a drink and checked up on them, making sure they were having a good time.
And they were.
“We are certainly sad, though,” said Shirley Bartos. “We’re going to miss this place.”
In addition to enjoying meals at the restaurant, the Bartoses have enjoyed the fish market the business provides during the winter holiday season.
“When our son Justin comes in from Lancaster for Christmas, he looks forward to the crab bisque and crab cakes we buy here,” said Bartos.
The couple have also tried the alligator soup and other specialty dishes at the fish market.
“Yes, really, it is alligator soup,” said Andy Bartos.
Cooper is confident in the future success of the business as a catering service and banquet facility.
“We’ve recently doubled in regard to catering,” said Cooper. “I think this is a good time to move forward, to make this change.”
Those who still want to eat a meal at Cooper’s have no need to despair.
“Our flagship location in Scranton will still be serving all your favorite dishes,” said Cooper.
Several members of Cooper’s staff will be making the transition to Scranton.
“Some of our staff members are students and they’ve already gotten new jobs,” said Cooper. “Others were offered positions and just think Scranton’s too far away.”
Both Cooper and Telford say they have good reason to face the future with confidence.
“We pray,” said Telford. “Every day.”
