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Rising costs of business did Medieval Manor in

Don Akin, who started Medieval Manor 43 years ago in the basement of the Eliot Hotel, says the reason he's shutting down what had become a Boston institution for a fairly simple reason: "We were not able to keep up with the rising cost of business."

In an e-mail to customers yesterday, Akin announced Medieval Manor would be closing forever at the end of the year.

Akin said he's sad, but not bitter. So many people have passed various personal milestones at Medieval Manor that telling them they could no longer celebrate their birthdays or other life events there has been "very, very awkward," he said.

Although increasing rents were one of the costs that made him decide to close, Akin had nothing but praise for his landlord. "The past five years, he's been so patient with us," he said.

He said the landlord is willing to consider having another operator come in and run a similarly themed theater, rather than immediately cashing in and selling to a condo developer like everybody around him seems to be doing in what is no longer the desolate area Medieval Manor relocated to from the Eliot.

Akin continued he did not consider looking for a less expensive venue for Medieval Manor.

"At 65, it's probably time" to retire from the Camelot business, he said. "I'm not up to the task" of starting over, he said, adding very few people have been as fortunate as him to be able to do something they love for so long.

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Comments

I'll forever imagine this place was just like that scene in 'the Cable Guy'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O23EzxT-Ug

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Completely different. A lot more intimate.

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to anyone who can keep an small independent business running for 40+ years, especially a restaurant. Well done Mr. Akin, I hope whatever the next chapter is for you, that it brings you as much success and pleasure as the chapter coming to a close at the end of December.

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Thanks, Obama

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End of message.

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Obama forced the South End to be nicer and therefor more desirable, allowing landlords to raise their rents, right after he did BENGHAZIIIIII WAKE UP SHEEPLE!!!!

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It was his wicked plan hatched back in his harvard days.

He got shitty service one day at Harry the Greeks and vowed one day to take his revenge on the entire block.

Death by gentrification. It's the liberal way.

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... re healthcare costs if it weren't for the fact that Romney instituted a similar plan in MA first. AND if it weren't for property costs going through the roof.

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If Bush didn't crash the economy on the way out the door, forcing the FED to lower interest rates to historical lows in an attempt to spur the economy into growth. Those historically low interest rates are making commercial loans really really cheap which in turn has lead to a buying spree in commercial real estate in the Boston area.

That is the main driving factor behind the commercial rate rise in Boston. Long term owners are cashing out, big REITs are moving in, and forcing up rates everywhere.

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were it not for the fact that Bush has been out of the WH for what, seven years, and all the lefties still blame him for everything. Interest rates could have been raised by current admin; why didn't they? Gunshy with executive directives? Didn't think so. Oh yeah, because they want to help the economy. Kind of like the same reason the republicans (and democrats before them) had the exact same policy.

Commercial loans don't have that much to do with the buying spree, when it's foreigners paying cash for the properties.

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You people were experts at blaming the entire Bush presidency on Clinton.

Spare us the bull.

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It's quite obviously George W. Bush's fault. And 12 years of Reagan/Bush.

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It wasn't the rising cost of silverware.

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Don't blame him. With the abutting properties being sold, and the need for 40k sq ft for a PDA, he was made an offer her couldn't refuse. The rest of the block is about sell, you just haven't hear about it yet

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Who needs that much room for a Public Display of Affection? Must be a big fella.

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I literally just drove by there thought "I'm glad it's still open." Bummer; I had a few lovely nights there in my youth:)

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