Beloved South Jersey restaurant The Little Tuna closes with a 'fond farewell'

In a bittersweet message, Marcus and Shanta Severs, husband-wife owners of The Little Tuna, bid adieu to loyal guests after serving seafood favorites for more than 20 years in Haddonfield and Lindenwold.

On Feb. 2, the couple posted a “fond farewell” on the restaurant's Facebook page.

It was the “last part of the guests’ experience; it is far more than a departing gesture, it is a promise of friendship and family, and a genuine desire to meet again,” they shared in their post.

The seafood restaurant first opened its doors in Haddonfield in 2001, where Tre Famiglia is located now on Haddon Avenue. Three years later, the white-tablecloth BYOB moved to Kings Highway. Then in 2018, it made its final home in Lindenwold, at a location offering a courtyard, on-site parking and a new menu.

On Feb. 1, The Little Tuna doors closed indefinitely.

The Severs shared how grateful they were for the years of smiles and memories that the restaurant brought in.

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In the Facebook post, they expressed their pride for employees that had become family as they worked “weeknight pops, weekends in the weeds and grueling days of winter where seldom another soul be seen.”

The couple thanked guests who became close friends for sharing their momentous and mundane life events from weddings to work meetings throughout their time in business.

“Your patronage has brought us more joy than we can express in mere words, and we are forever thankful for the life experience you have given us,” Marcus Severs wrote.

The last two years, the two confided, were the hardest for the restaurant with COVID-19 making things more difficult. The pandemic gave them time for reflection and a re-evaluation of their life and livelihood.

“A dream, a leap of faith, a long shot ... came true, landed on solid ground, and found the intended target,” the Severs expressed. “We have lived our dream, manifested it into existence, breathed life into it and watched it grow. And now we must let it go.”

Fans shared their thoughts on the post — all sad to see their favorite restaurant close.

“Sad news indeed,” Alan Huscher commented. “My wife and I discovered you back in the Haddonfield days and fell in love. Best of luck to you and the staff in your future endeavors.”

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Heather Virgilio expressed how heartbreaking the news was.

“So Very Sorry to see you guys close. Marcus, you and your entire team were amazing and the best of the best! Much luck in your future endeavors you guys will be missed tremendously,” she wrote.

For Cameron Kelsall, The Little Tuna was the restaurant he “fell in love with” when he moved to Haddonfield a decade ago.

“I’ll remember fondly the many wonderful meals I had with you over the years,” Kelsall wrote. “Best wishes on your next chapter.”

Lisa Goldstein Galda thanked the Severs for food and wished them well.

“Thanks for some terrific fish dishes,” she wrote. “Followed you from Haddonfield to Lindenwold and I wish you much luck in your future endeavors. Good health to all and the next door shall open just open when ready. Fish wishes.”

The Severs ended the post with another note of gratitude and a reminder.

“We must remember, contrary to popular belief ... that Life is Long, and the World is Small! Our paths will cross again, friends,” they wrote.

“Thank you all again from the bottom of our hearts, for all your love and support over the last 20 years” they added. "Please celebrate with us, the end of an era and the beginning of this new chapter in life. With utmost sincerity and love; here’s to a final, fond farewell.”

Hira Qureshi covers food and drink for South Jersey at the Courier Post, Burlington County Times and Daily Journal. She can be reached at HQureshi@gannettnj.com or 856-287-8106. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Little Tuna, which moved from Haddonfield, closes doors in Lindenwold