It was Valentine’s Day 1998 when the Old Spaghetti Factory shuttered its downtown Cincinnati location after 20 years in business. For many, the closure signaled the end of an era. The historic warehouse that housed the restaurant was set for demolition alongside its neighbors – Caddy’s, Flannagan’s Landing and others – to make way for what is now Paycor Stadium.
Since opening in 1978, the restaurant had become a go-to for families wanting an affordable meal at a place that offered not just good food but an escape from reality. The dining room was decorated Gay ’90s-style with antiques that Sally Dussin – who co-owned the Portland, Oregon-based restaurant chain with her husband, Guss – procured on her travels throughout the United States and Europe. They included tasseled lampshades, vintage headboards and opulent chandeliers. The most notable decoration by far was a restored trolley car that had become a distinguishing feature at all Old Spaghetti Factory locations nationwide. Securing a seat on the trolley on a busy weekend night was like winning the lottery.