Legendary Rendezvous waiters hang up their aprons

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - Two long-time waiters at Rendezvous are hanging up their aprons.

If you've eaten at the Downtown Memphis restaurant, you've likely seen their faces.

Big Robert and Percy have been fixtures at Rendezvous for a combined 100 years.

"48 years of doing this--all of them together made for a good career," Percy Norris said.

Their careers have made them as famous as the restaurant itself. That's why Rendezvous is honoring them before they retire.

Percy Norris and Robert Stewart have seen customers come from around the world during their time in Downtown Memphis.

"I've seen the whole city change," Norris said. "If you saw some people Downtown after 5, they were either lost or going to the Rendezvous."

But now, it's time to move on—Big Robert plans to take it easy…if he can.

"My wife keeps me busy and plus, I got two Shih Tzus at home who keep me busy too," Robert Stewart said.

Percy is more philosophical with his retirement.

"There's an old saying, every road has to end somewhere. Well, my road has come to an end," Norris said.

Big Robert and Percy will continue working through the rest of the year. Their first day of retirement will come January 1, 2017.

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