Empty chairs, stacked menus and a note was left at the front door of Tastee Diner in Silver Spring. The note read that over 75 years of hot food and coffee is over.
“I feel kind of hurt. I have been going here since I was a little kid. It means a lot to me,” said 18-year-old Azaria Lawton, who grew up in the area.
People who passed by on Wednesday realized a community staple for over 75 years is gone. They officially closed up shop at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Many people say they wish they knew earlier, so they could have a final meal there.
“This is just one more little local landmark that bites the dust,” Denise Calabria said.
Connor Smith, another Silver Spring native, said he has also been coming here with his family and friends for years.
“I came a million times. It was a classic hangout spot,” Smith said.
Many want to know why. We learned the once bustling diner is being bought by a D.C.-based company called Roadside Development.
In a statement they said, “We were approached by the owner of Tastee a little while back as he needed to sell for personal health reasons and I'm glad we were able to figure it out.”
The developer plans to turn the restaurant and neighboring property into a new mixed-use residential project.
“The waitresses and waiters know exactly what we want. We can say it's the first of the month and they will know exactly what we want to eat,” said regular Jackie Thornton.
We spoke with several employees who’ve worked at the diner for decades. They told us they were too emotional to go on camera, especially after only learning today, they’re now jobless.
Thornton says she is friends with some of the staff.
“They don't know what they are going to do, when you find something at the last minute all these things go through your head. How am I going to provide for my family, how am I going to pay rent, my mortgages?” she said.