La Vallée closing this week

A 63-year-old Chelsea institution will close this week.

La Vallée Restaurant & Motel at the corner of Hwy 105 and River Road in Chelsea will close its doors at the end of the day on March 26, according to a post on the business’ Facebook page.

“We would like to take the time to give a special thanks [to] our wonderful staff who have worked with us along these years. We would also like to thank all of our loyal customers and friends for your support, we will miss you all,” the March 21 post, signed by owners Dan Faasen and Odette Larocque Faasen and their children Vallerie Faasen, and Eric Faasen, states.

When reached for comment, Dan declined to speak on the record.

The post about the closing was shared on local community social media groups, which garnered hundreds of likes and comments.

People congratulated the Faasens and wrote about their memories at the restaurant eating breakfast, catching a live music show, or grabbing a beer at the bar in the back.

“Congratulations and thanks for so many years. I will always remember your Dutch Indonesian meals. So good,” Chelsea resident Sandy Foote wrote on Chelsea Folks, a Facebook group.

“In normal circumstances, we would all be there to celebrate with you! Accept our gratitude from our home to yours! Thank you for everything you contributed to our lives … we will miss you,” Nathalie Coutou wrote on Wakefield Folks, also a Facebook group.

Comments like those go on and on.

On a personal note, The Low Down News team in the before-COVID times would meet there on Wednesday mornings to discuss that week's edition and upcoming stories. Publisher Nikki Mantell would order her scrambled eggs runny and bacon floppy, the other reporters would eat like birds, and this reporter would scarf down the La Vallée special — two eggs, bacon, sausages, ham, beans, and toast — while hardly taking a breath, breakfast never disappointed.

The business, sometimes called Tulip Valley, has been in the Faasen family since 1958, but has been on sale for the past six years.

For more information, visit lavalleemotel.com.