'We love this place!': Naples residents react to Old Naples Pub closing

Does it really boil down to pickle jars topping the tables?

On Facebook, missing them is an overwhelming sentiment.

"Sad, we love this place! Always brought our out of town guests here," wrote Sherry Fulton on Facebook under the Daily News' story, which broke the news Monday of Old Naples Pub closing at the end of the month.

Joe Mason of New Jersey also commented, saying: "That's the saddest thing I've ever heard. I've gone there on every visit to Naples I've gone on. It's the 1st and last restaurant I go to. I wish them the best. But Naples will never be the same. It's like losing your favorite relative."

Others chimed in how Old Naples Pub was their go-to for casual and affordable fantastic food, comparing it to losing your favorite relative.

On Instagram, one channeled his inner Nancy Kerrigan, crying, "Why, why?"

Some mistakenly decried rents in Naples as a factor, but those folks seemed not to have read our story quoting landlord Joan Tobin of Neapolitan Entreprises saying that the owners elected to retire.

Longtime local restaurant pros weigh in

With her husband Fabrizio, Ingrid Aielli co-owns two neighboring restaurants, Sea Salt and Barbatella.

Her go-to order at the Pub was a Reuben, one of the menu's classic sandwiches.

“The lush courtyard reminded me of a lovely treehouse; the sandwich was always good.”

For 17 years, Valerie Miller has published and written the “Naples Restaurant Guide and Old Time Recipes.” Fun fact: Miller previously worked in Hollywood’s film industry, including a stint on “Cheers.”

'Inevitable' that such local treasures close, says one resident

The pub’s passing saddens Miller.

“It was among my sister and her late husband’s favorite places to go. I still remember what he ordered: bratwurst," she said. "I hate what's happening to Naples, I really do, and I'm obviously not the only person.”

Miller remains upset about the Naples Beach Club's closure in 2021: “I loved going there for the vibe and the best rum runners, and we're not going to have that ever again.”

Publicist Beth Preddy, whose firm has launched a dozen restaurants in town since 1997, sees two sides of the closing coin.

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“In today’s explosive restaurant scene, it’s inevitable that we will be saying farewell to these living treasures. There's so much creativity coming to town that we can look forward to what is in store for Naples.”