1892 East wasn’t just a restaurant, it was a neighborhood restaurant. Located in Huntsville’s multihued Five Points neighborhood just a baseball’s throw from residences, 1892 East closed permanently this week after a nearly 15-year run.

A paper notice posted on the restaurant’s front door reads: “We are going to miss you. After 15 years serving Huntsville and the neighborhood of Five Points, we are suspending operations. We have truly loved being a part of your celebrations, date nights, and happy hours. Thank you for making us a part of your lives. Sincerely, Chef Steve Bunner and Mike Burleso.”

The same message was posted on 1892’s website. No reason was given for the closure. We reached out to Bunner and Burleso for further comment. As of publishing hadn’t received a response, completely understandable since their long-running business just closed.

Through the years, 1892 made it through the pandemic and related supply-chain and staffing issues, tornado-induced electrical blackouts, and snow and ice local shutdowns.

There was a 2024 incident where a car rammed into the restaurant’s frontage. In response, Bunner spraypainted, “I ASSURE YOU, WE’RE OPEN,” on plywood hung up over the damage, a reference to the classic ‘90s work comedy “Clerks.”

1892’s served Southern fare sifted through international influences. For example, chicken and dumplings but with Parisian gnocchi instead of traditional biscuit dumplings. Their fried green tomatoes were breaded with Japanese panko breadcrumbs. 1892’s crispy shrimp and grits app smuggled grits and cheese inside of fried jumbo shrimp.

Their seasonally changing menus always contained compelling vegetarian options, like mushroom pot pie. Brunch boasted items like Southern eggs benedict with gravy. The charming bar always stocked local craft brews.

Photos hanging in 1892’s cozy dining areas were shot in the neighborhood. A telephone pole on Wells Avenue. A bicycle parked in front of Star Market.

1892 East’s 720 Pratt Ave. N.E. digs were rich with local history, too. Back in the day, the space was home to classic Huntsville restaurant Zesto, known for this corndogs. More recently, it had been home to bygone Italian eatery Sazio.

Even 1892 East’s name has a local tie-in. It comes from an early map notation regarding Five Points.

A self-described “military brat,” Brunner was born in Germany and moved to Huntsville in his youth and attended Grissom High School. Later, he studied at New England Culinary Institute.

He then worked at notable eateries including Café Boulud Palm Beach in Florida, Atlanta pacesetter Seeger’s, and Huntsville standouts Cotton Row and Heritage Club.

In 2024, Brunner told me his and partner Borleso’s vision for 1892 East. “We wanted to build a restaurant that was appropriate to Five Points.”

Judging from customers reactions on social media, Brunner and Borleso clearly accomplished that goal. Lane Clemons posted, “Our cute little neighborhood spot is gone! We have loved loved 1892 East more than any other and we are truly so so sad to hear this.” Abby T. Owen posted, “It’s been our favorite for years! It’s our favorite date spot.” Noel King added, “Nice restaurant. Sad news.”

Ten years ago, when a beloved journalism colleague visited me, first time I’d seen him in four years, 1892’s where we went for dinner.

Over the years, I interviewed Brunner several times. In conversation, he was always kind and thoughtful with a dash of whimsical.

In 2013, Brunner told AL.com the three things he always keeps in his home fridge: Dried pasta; sambal, a mixture of ground chilies and garlic; and fresh goat cheese.

In recent years, the trend for new restaurants in Huntsville is in dining/entertainment/retail hubs like Stovehouse, MidCity, Campus No. 805 and even arts center Lowe Mill.

That strategy can draw in exciting concepts and salable synergy. But a neighborhood restaurant like 1892 East has soul you can’t buildout or buy.

As Brunner once put it, “Five Points is one of the few areas in the city where you can easily walk from your house to a grocery store, walk from your house to a restaurant. We’ve been lucky as we’ve been almost instantly adopted by the neighborhood since we’ve opened. People are very protective of Five Points, whether they’ve lived here 30 years or moved in last week.”