On Sept. 15, I stopped by Novak’s to confirm that the restaurant was closing, but I couldn’t get a statement to that effect at the time.
As just about everyone on Facebook knows by now, the famous Novak’s Hungarian restaurant in downtown Albany has closed.
I heard about the restaurant’s forthcoming demise two or three weeks ago, and several times since from various people, but was asked to hold off reporting this until the owners were ready to make an announcement.
Karen and Matilda Novak, daughters of the late founders of the business, made the announcement Sunday. Their message to “beloved friends” on Facebook said that another restaurant, Sweet Red Bistro, will move into the building at 208 Second Ave. S.W. At present Sweet Red is at 208 First, one block over.
Sweet Red Holdings LLC of North Albany, the new owners, bought the Novak property on Aug. 30 for $412,000, according to county records, plus cash and other considerations. Cyndi “Sweet” Alire is president of the family corporation. She opened Sweet Red Bistro on First Avenue 12 years ago. (More on just what Sweet Red is planning in an upcoming story.)
Novak’s was started in 1984 by Joseph and Matilda Novak, who had immigrated from Hungary. They fled their native country after the Soviet Union crushed the anti-communist revolution of 1956. Before starting their new restaurant, Matilda had been chef at another Albany restaurant, and Joe had worked at Teledyne Wah Chang.
The original restaurant opened in a small rented building at the corner of Bain Street and Santiam Highway in April 1984. Later the business rented space in the Heritage Plaza shopping center south of 14th Avenue.
In 2014, with the financial support of the downtown urban renewal program, CARA, the Novaks renovated the building at 208 Second Ave. S.W., a former meat market, and moved the restaurant there. The project cost a reported $800,000-plus; CARA support amounted to $326,000 in grants and loans. (Sophie Adams, the city’s economic development manager, says the remaining balance of the loan was negotiated into the purchase and sale, with the new building owner assuming that obligation.)
A fire in February 2019 forced the restaurant to close for about a year, and then came Covid and all the restrictions on public and business life. Matilda said the Covid lockdown caused the business massive damage.
Lately, Novak’s had been open only Thursdays and Fridays. It offered cooking classes on Tuesdays (not Saturdays, as the original story mistakenly said.) The last day as a restaurant was Sept. 29.
In their Facebook message, the Novak sisters apologized for not giving people more notice: “We have had very little staff since the lockdowns and would have been overwhelmed by the deluge of demand.”
Those of us who enjoyed dining at Novak’s, especially in the early years, will never forget Mrs. Novak’s cooking or Joe’s welcoming embrace. (hh)
(The story has been edited to clarify the money angle of the purchase by Sweet Red.)
I think it would been a little less shocking if people knew that the restaurant was closing not that it’s going to close two days after it closed
It was explained in the article why they were unable to give notice to the community.
What about our gift cards?
Probably one of the reasons they didn’t want it reported that they “were” closing, and only that they “had” closed. Common practice for struggling businesses unfortunately.
Sad to see them go. Was a great eating establishment … I have their cookbook and have made many dishes from there !
but one has to wonder .. how can ANY business stay afloat when they are only open 2 nights a week for patrons ?. Seems to me that laying blame on covid is a way to pass the buck. I also recall my sweetheart giving money to a fundraiser when the fire happened. All that money, cara money … I wonder if they got of that ppp money??
Curious to see what goes in on 1st Ave where Sweet Reds is at, now. Any leads, Hasso?
” how can ANY business stay afloat when they are only open 2 nights a week for patrons?.”
Depends on how much business they did during that time. Not having to heat or light a building or pay a staff when there is no income to offset the expense makes a difference.
“Seems to me that laying blame on covid is a way to pass the buck.”
Depends on the circumstances. Many businesses are still feeling the financial effects of Covid. You have to remember, even with no income these businesses still had mortgages/rent, still had loans, still had to pay for utilities, still had to pay for insurance. If they were lucky…they might had gotten a deferral on the mortgage/rent and loan, but they still have to paid. Which means you have to stay open because you can’t afford to close. Even after all this time there are still restaurants in town running limited service.
Thanks for doing this, Hasso!
A favorite restaurant of ours, loved the food and the Novak family. It will be greatly missed.
So sad to see them feel that they have to close. The last few years certainly have been hard though.
Having known the Novak’s since the early ’90’s, it is very hard to hear this news but I also know that they wouldn’t have done if there were another way to keep open. To all my friends at Novak’s, thank you for your years of serving our community, not only with amazing food but with love as well. We will definitely miss you but wish you all the best. ❤️❤️
Just wanted to add a few corrections:
The restaurant opened at 11:30 for Lunch, which was served until 4:00 — when we always switched to Dinner service, (since 1984).
We also added a very popular Buffet Feast, which became available both nights at 5:00, as one dining option.
We began offering cooking classes on most Tuesday nights (and usually one Tuesday at Noon each month by request) back in September of 2021.
Karen and I also did private parties and special events, to help make ends meet.
Hasso, when we spoke earlier today, you said you had all the information you needed from the fb post, and we didn’t need to speak. I hope this helps.
My sister Karen cooked side by side with our Mama for decades, and we Never altered a recipe — though we had to cut back the menu offerings to accommodate the skyrocketing prices as well as our limited days of business. We ran weekly “off-menu specials” for items people loved that we could no longer afford to stock on a regular basis.
The CARA loan that is still owing has been assumed by Sweet Red and will be paid in full. We were unable to acquire any PPP initially because there was no way to explain in the online application that we’d had a fire on Feb.27th of 2019, and our “numbers” were a reflection of that reality. When we Finally reopened (more than a year after the fire, we had only two crazy busy weeks of business before the government told us we had to shut our doors — but we could open our windows. Many small, family owned establishments were destroyed by the lockdowns. We refused to die that way. In spite of everything, we persevered, and I am forever proud of my family, grateful to our community — and to people far and wide who appreciated what we did and the love with which we did it. Lastly, our Papa went by “Joseph” not “Joe”….
What about gift cards? Friends bought us one this summer that we have not had time to use.
And yet another icon bites the Dust! Luved them and the food.
I absolutely loved Novacks I am so sad to hear it closed. My husband and I both got COVID Sept 2021 my husband unfortunately is now long haul COVID when I couldn’t get him to eat I would go to Novacks for their soup. When the sisters heard why I was there for soup numerous times they gave it to me free of charge. Their way of helping they said. I will always be externally greatful for their kindness.
Absolutely heart broken to see this. We were so warmly welcomed by Momma and Joseph when we first moved to Albany. We’d never experienced that light and sense of family in a restaurant before. What a treasure this whole family is, and an example of family sticking together. We’ll miss the special meals, desserts, and Salad Dressing Mix, too!
Maybe that could be a Saturday Market treasure – Novak’s Dressing Mix and Desserts!
All the best and love to the Novak’s!
My absolute FAVORITE place to eat!!! NOW where am I gonna go every year for my birthday dinner?!? (And will I ever taste my FAVORITE Chocolate Meringue Cookies again?!?) SO SAD, but I certainly understand and wish the family ALL THE BEST whatever they do/wherever they go from here! Much love and thanks to all of the Novak family for the MANY years of enjoyment you provided!
So sad. Is there a way to purchase the cookbook. I cannot find my copy anywhere?
We loved going there as well! They seemed like Godly people and this is another product of the the fake covid and Government policies that should have never happened! This country is headed for the same thing that Novacks fled from. God have mercy!!!
It’s a heart breaker to see novaks restaurant close , known for great food , but A lot of Albany residents don’t have a clue of past and present service this family has done for Albany, Joseph novak was a staunch supporter of our military, meals for veterans on Veterans Day, and the way he would go out of his way to thank them for their service, and
In continuing service Matilda Novak serving on out city council, probably one of the Last stewards of the citizens of Albany taxes that they pay, I can only hope she stays on as a councilwoman, restaurant business is tough, so citizens of Albany support as much as you can afford, because gems like novaks could be gone in the future.
My business was adjacent to Novak’s. They were great neighbors. Some days when I went from the rear production area of the Shop forward to the showroom I found a warm piece of pastry sitting on the countertop. What a nice gesture on their part. It showed where their heart was. Many thanks. “Fat” Jeff.
Lots of fond memories, dating back to the double-wide out by I-5. Even Gov Goldschmidt made the drive down from Salem on occasion. Miss the crazy accordion player (Joseph’s brother?). Gonna miss the chicken paprikash. And of course watching the daughters grow up.
The accordian player who was named Frank, was not Joseph’s brother. However, we miss him too such a fun spirit.
So sorry to hear of your closing. I had the pleasure of dining here for the 1st time on our anniversary in August. Your food was delicious and service top notch.
So sad to hear they have closed. We enjoyed eating there. More than 20 years ago when our son was in scouts I went with him to the lock-in sleep overs at the Linn Expo center. Joseph was the midnight speaker. What I remember was him telling them was to love their country, listen to and respect their parents. A real patriot and gentleman.
I’m sorry to see a great restaurant close. The Novak daughters made their parent very proud. Good luck and know you all were loved.
Thanks Hasso for reporting news that is always important.
Loved Novak’s and their food will miss both girls a lot and Joseph. They did a ton for the community as thanking dinner for homeless and special meal for some very kind people miss a lot
I was contemplating paying a visit to Novak’s and shocked to learn that they’re no longer in business. I met the Novak family with the exception of Karen some years ago when I worked at the U.S. Bureau of Mines in Albany. Our office personnel frequented Novak’s for lunch while located at the Heritage Mall. Joseph and Matilda and I had similar background, fighting for freedom in 1956 and left Hungary for same reason I did.
God bless the Novak family for providing outstanding food and customer service for all those years. I hope we get to meet again.
Thank you.