By Lisa Carolin
One of downtown Chelsea’s historic businesses is closing. Randy Seitz, owner of Seitz’s Tavern, is selling the 103-year-old business.
Seitz, who is 65, has been working at the family business for 45 years.
“My heart isn’t in it anymore,” said Seitz, who recently had triple bypass surgery. “I’ve been here my whole life. There’s too much to keep going on with. It’s tiring.”
He calls Seitz Tavern a “working man’s bar”.
“Chelsea has completely changed, and it’s very yuppy now,” said Seitz. “Business is up and down and it’s not predictable anymore.”
He says an investor is buying the building and will have someone else run the new business, which will be a sandwich shop restaurant.
“We wanted to sell everything all at once-the building and the business,” said Seitz. “What I’ll miss most are the people.”
The tavern was purchased by Randy’s grandfather George Seitz in 1916 from Tommy McNamara, when it was located across the street. George Seitz then bought the building at 110 W. Middle St., where the business remains.
In 1948, Randy’s father, Junior Seitz, returned from serving in World War II and took over the business. Randy came aboard in the mid-1970s.
Randy Seitz says he plans to stay in the Chelsea area and hopes to get a less stressful job.
