Peter and Loreta Stojanovski, the owners of Vardar Restaurant in Littlehampton, will step down at the end of February.
The restaurant, which serves Mediterranean food, will be taken over by new owners.
A statement posted on Facebook reads: “Dear Customers, after 46 incredible years of welcoming you all to The Vardar Restaurant, we have decided it’s time to retire at the end of February.
“Being at the heart of this community for nearly five decades has shaped us into the people we are today.
“Without your support, loyalty, and friendship, we wouldn’t have been able to build the business and reputation we’re so proud of.
“The Vardar has been a huge part of our family and will leave a huge void in all our lives.
“We have created so many memories here and we hope many of you have too.
“It’s been an amazing journey, and we’ve been honoured to share so many of your life’s special moments—engagements, weddings, christenings, and countless family celebrations—all within the walls of our beloved restaurant.
“Over the next few weeks, we’ll be busy preparing to hand over The Vardar to its new keepers, who will share their exciting plans with you soon and the new name.
“In the meantime, we’re still open, still taking bookings, and we’d love to see as many of you as possible before we say goodbye.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to each and every one of you for being part of our journey.
“With love and gratitude, Peter & Loreta, The Vardar Restaurant.”
According to their website, Peter and Loreta Stojanovski opened Vardar Restaurant in 1979.
Peter, originally from Macedonia, trained as a chef and worked as a head chef in nearby Arundel before he and his wife opened Vardar.
The restaurant, one of Littlehampton’s first Mediterranean restaurants, aimed to serve great food influenced by their Macedonian heritage in a friendly, Mediterranean-style atmosphere.
Forty years on, the restaurant says many customers have become old friends, and that new generations of loyal customers are regularly introduced to Vardar by their parents and grandparents.