Petaluma restaurant Mister McGoo's going out with a party

After 50 years, Petaluma institution Mister McGoo’s restaurant is closing its doors on Petaluma Boulevard North - but only after a weekend of live music, DJs and potlucks to bring together its most loyal customers and anyone else who rolls in.

Restaurateur Tony McGaughey said a landlord-tenant dispute has led his family to shutter the restaurant, where they’ve served Italian-American fare since 1965. But McGaughey said he hopes it will be a temporary closure and that he is actively seeking a new location.

Although the bar remains open through the weekend, the restaurant served its last meal Sunday. Over the past few weeks, customers have flooded through the doors, said McGaughey, who took over from his parents, Bob and Bobbi McGaughey, in 2000.

“The last three weeks have been the busiest we’ve ever had,” McGaughey said.

The red-and-white checkered tablecloths and wood paneling gave the dining room a friendly church-basement vibe with a serving of Italian-American comfort food across the street from Brodie’s Tire & Brake on the north side of town. It was the site of many family gatherings, generation after generation, he said.

The restaurant’s name came from Bob McGaughey’s childhood nickname.

This week, Tony McGaughey said they took down the “Mister McGoo’s” signs and have cleared out much of the kitchen equipment. But they are also setting up to prepare for a busy weekend with live music and a DJ.

Friday night, local country band Train Wreck Junction is headlining a night of dancing. A DJ and potluck are planned for Saturday. On Sunday, the bar will open as usual at 2 p.m. and remain open until the McGaugheys close one final time on Petaluma Boulevard North at midnight.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem.