Boston’s No Name Restaurant closes after a century in business

One of the last old-guard holdovers of Boston’s fishing industry — the century-old No Name Restaurant — abruptly closed its doors on Monday.

The restaurant on South Boston’s Fish Pier announced its closure to patrons in a statement posted to its Facebook page.

“We want to thank our generations of customers for all the years of loyal patronage, and for helping make the No Name a landmark location,” management wrote.

“It has been an honor to be part of your celebrations and your everyday lives for so many years.”

The restaurant was founded in 1917 by Nick Contos to feed fishermen at the end of the workday, according to the restaurant’s website. Contos didn’t give his establishment a name, saying “If it works, leave it alone.”

The restaurant — which billed itself as a “no frills seafood mainstay” — remained in the Contos family throughout its 102-year existence. It was a rare constant along a section of waterfront that has seen a dramatic transformation as the city’s once-vibrant commercial fishing industry has given way to skyscrapers and tech companies in the Seaport next door.

A spokeswoman for Massport, the pier landlord, said “it is too early to say” what will occupy the space next.

“We will ensure the eventual use supports the seafood industry and our maritime mission,” Jennifer Mehigan said.

According to federal court documents, the restaurant was facing financial difficulties and on Monday it filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection.

In its bankruptcy filing, the No Name lists assets of $212,857 against liabilities of $422,079 to 32 creditors, many of whom appear to be suppliers.

The No Name listed $20,000 in its operating account and $0 in its payroll account.

However, the restaurant was able to pay the staff as the paperwork indicates that management withdrew $9,900 on Monday and paid the final payroll in cash.

The No Name is the latest famous restaurant to close in a neighborhood that has undergone a dramatic transformation in the 21st century. Jimmy’s Harborside closed in 2005 and Anthony’s Pier 4 closed in 2013.

On its website, the No Name places its opening in the context of Boston’s history, “shortly before the First World War — and a solid year before Harry Frazee sold babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.”

Herald wire services contributed to this report.