NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — After three decades, Piccadilly Cafeteria is closing its doors for good.
"We’re pretty upset about it," Michael Joyner said.
It was a piece of old Nashville's heart. We just hate to say goodbye to Daryl and a lot of the other regulars that we’ve gotten to know over the times we’ve been here," Sarah Johnson said, .
Both are worried about the employees who will lose their jobs. "I think the thing that I’ve been thinking about is all the people who’ve worked here for so many years, they aren’t just people who help you with their tray, they’re people who have become a part of your life as well," Johnson said.
According to Piccadilly's corporate office, they’re giving employees the option to work at their Memphis or Atlanta location. They issued a statement:
“We always consider a store closure our very last option, but as we are navigating the new, ever-changing environment of the restaurant industry in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become necessary. We are proud and privileged to have served the Nashville area and this community since 1990 —and we would like to thank all of our guests and team members who have supported us so graciously throughout the years. While we deeply regret closing this location, we hope guests will visit our locations across the South when given the opportunity. Please visit www.piccadilly.com/locations [piccadilly.com] for these locations.”
Joyner said, "It’s going to be difficult for small businesses to make it so we’re going to try to support them as much as we can."
Customers are also worried about the elderly folks that live across the street who like to eat at the restaurant. Hopefully, employees will be able to find new jobs while customers mourn."It’s just been here for so long and places become sort of a part of the fabric of your family, so it feels like we’re losing a family member almost," Johnson said.
It’s unclear what the future holds for the property.
