NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Nashville staple, Dairy King, is closing its doors for good due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Owners Jeff and Carolyn Jones announced their decision on the business' Facebook page Monday afternoon. The meat and three diner will stop operating August 3.
"I really can not imagine my life without Dairy King in it. After 50 years, it becomes part of your DNA. Our family has had an amazing run. I am so proud of the legacy my parents left," Jeff said in the post.
He cited a 50% loss of income due to the pandemic and shutdown.
Under the current conditions, we simply cannot make ends meet. We lost all catering jobs in the second week of March."
As Jeff Jones gets ready to turn 63 next month, it'll be the first time he celebrates a birthday without the Dairy King.
He bought the restaurant in 2000 from his parents.
The restaurant has literally weathered storms. They survived not one, but two floods.
But Jones say they're having trouble keeping their head above water.
With more people working from home, less people are coming into the shop.
"We rely on our lunch crowd and that has gone down because many people aren't working in the area, they're working from home or unemployed," said Jones.
Dairy King will officially be closing on August 3rd.
