Vince Tavolario can imagine one way to close the Natili South Restaurant next month — with music.

The restaurant is set to close Sept. 27 after 75 years in business. Tavolario said there will be a special celebration that night that will feature the long tradition at the restaurant.

Tavolario will play the piano and sing with his three band mates, just like he has done many times in the past.

“That the only way I know how to go,” he said.

The men have been playing together for 35 years, highlighting the restaurant’s famous Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day parties.

It’s the only fitting end to what Tavolario considers the end of an era at the restaurant.

Tavolario and his wife, Jean, have been at Natili Restaurant for 46 years. It was founded by his wife’s father, John Natili, in 1939.

But Tavolario said it has become too difficult for his family to manage the establishment.

“My wife and I have gotten older,” he said. “Things have changed in the restaurant business. It’s very difficult to make a buck.”

The decision to sell the restaurant has not been an easy one.

“It’s not easy for me at all,” he said. “I’ll miss the interaction with people the most.”

Tavolario said his favorite part of owning a restaurant was talking to the customers.

“I’ve always wanted to make people’s experience a good one,” he said. “That’s the point of the business.”

While the original Natili Restaurant is closing, Natili North and the Natili North Pizza Shoppe will remain open on North Main Street.

Natili North received a neighborhood pride award from the city Thursday for Tavolario’s efforts in transforming the formerly blighted property into one of the city’s popular pizza shops.

Tavolario said some of the 45 employees at Natili South will move to the other locations.

“They’ll take with them some of our most popular recipes,” he said, adding Chicken Romano, Cicero Salad, and the salmon will be among the dishes that will continue to be served.

Tavolario said he is excited to devote more time and energy into Natili North and the Pizza Shoppe. He said while neither of the establishments has a bar, customers are welcome to bring their own wine or beer to the restaurants.

Tavolario said there is no update on the status of the Natili South building.

“We’re still trying to sell or lease it,” he said, adding it could be used as a restaurant or for another use.

Tavolario also is working on selling the Venetian glass mural and the three Murano glass chandeliers that have been displayed in the bar for many years.

“Those are worth a whole bunch of money,” he said.

Tavolario said he will be reminiscing about all the good times at the business.

“There’s just a tremendous amount of memories,” he said.