Anthony and Cindy Compehos have spent countless hours at the grill and behind a cash register at the Halibut House over the years and the restaurant always been a family affair. Members of the Compehos family frequented Halibut House in the closing days last week to help out, reminisce, grieve and celebrate the closing of this restaurant that has been a part of their family for almost four decades. Daughter Melonee said she enjoys working at the restaurant when she comes back home to visit. “I will miss everybody when I come to town and work”, she said.
When Murray Damiattio and Mac MacDonald opened MacMurry’s Halibut House in 1983, Anthony Compehos was recruited to be the restaurant manager. Shortly after opening, Cindy Compehos said she got a call asking her to leave her job managing the deli at Valdez Market because Anthony needed help. Cindy and Anthony went from being employees to leasing the restaurant and eventually buying it. “I’ve worked every summer for the last 38 years because summer is our busy season,” Cindy said. “I’ll miss seeing all my regular customers. I don’t know all their names, but I know what they eat”.
The Compehos children have helped out at the restaurant over the years, but Halibut House has also been the first job for countless Valdez teens. When asked how many employees they have had over the years Cindy replied with a grin, “I have no idea but Anthony never fired anyone. If young kids were not mature, he would just tell them to come back when they had matured. Sometimes they came back and he didn’t give them a job …but he didn’t fire them”.
Cindy said she and Anthony are not big on travelling outside of Alaska, but they are excited about taking a break and having the opportunity to travel around the State during the summer.
