Crystal Restaurant owners still hope to remain

May 29--WATERTOWN -- The owners of the Crystal Restaurant expect to remain where they are now.

Peter J. Dephtereos, who with his family owns the iconic Public Square restaurant, said Thursday that he has not heard from landlord Ricky Frazier about the owner's threat to evict the business at the end of the month.

"It's status quo," he said, adding that he believes the restaurant will be able to stay in the location it has occupied for 89 years.

Three weeks ago, Mr. Frazier threatened to evict them because the family failed to sign a lease for the 1,700-square-foot restaurant. Mr. Frazier said he offered the couple a five-year lease and told them he would have to be added to their fire insurance. Mr. Frazier could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

According to the Watertown City Court, Mr. Frazier has not filed any eviction court papers about the Crystal.

Customers should not be alarmed to find the restaurant closed this weekend. The family will be attending a graduation, Mr. Dephtereos said.

Family members have been saying from the beginning that they believe something can be worked out to allow them to stay. They were surprised when they received the eviction notice four weeks ago.

Mr. Frazier purchased the building at 85-87 Public Square in January 2013 for $125,000 from Public Square Properties LLC, a Long Island corporation, after the Dephtereoses had hoped to acquire it.

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