Saying volume is too much, operators of Gina's by the Sea in Dennis close after 44 years

The farewell message on Gina’s By The Sea’s website quotes Dr. Seuss:

“Don’t be sad it ended,

Be happy it happened.”

Those words marked the end of an era for the family business at 134 Taunton Ave. in Dennis, which served Italian-American specialties for 44 years. The white lattice fence still stands in front of the cottage, but the restaurant will not reopen this year.

“This is a decision we have agonized over since before (COVID) and with the retirement of both the chef and the owner the end has announced itself,” reads the website notice, in white letters on a black background.

A taped response on Gina’s phone system refers callers to the website.

The owner is listed as Larry Riley of Dennis in the town’s DBA records. He did not respond to the Cape Cod Times’ email requesting comment.

The statement continues, “We understand that many of you will want to know why and the reason is simple. The volume has become too much for us to keep up with and we simply are not going to change how and what we have been doing over the last four and a half decades.”

The website message says the spot may reopen as a restaurant with different operators, a bed-and-breakfast or a private home