For those who didn’t know, white sheets of paper taped Sunday to a glass front door told the story.
“Attention Guests: Thank you for the opportunity to serve this community over the years,” one read. “Unfortunately, this location is now permanently closed.”
Judging by surprised and annoyed customers arriving about 2 p.m., only to find their eatery was no more, it seemed there were indeed many who did not know.
The longtime Kings Family Restaurant at 315 Hyde Park Road in Allegheny Township was a comfortable gathering spot on Sundays and a reliable option for breakfast or other meals, customers said.
Employees inside declined comment, saying questions should be directed to Kings corporate headquarters. A spokesperson there could not be reached Sunday.
Restaurant staff turned down a reporter’s request to talk with customers inside the dining room, but one longtime patron got up from her seat and volunteered her thoughts.
“I can’t believe it,” said Judy DelVechio, 77, of Hyde Park. “At least once or twice a week, we’d come here, a lot of times after church, a whole gang of us. We love it here.”
Next to her, a display case near the register normally filled with pies was empty.
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“Somebody opened the door on the way in and told me this is the last day they’re open. I thought, they’re B.S.-ing me,” she said. “I asked the waitress because we know the waitresses and they know what we order. I thought, how could they do this to their workers?”
Her favorite item was the vegetable soup and the fish dinners.
“I like the people who work here,” she said. “They’re friendly.”
Another patron who showed up expecting to dine also was caught by surprise.
“I’ve been coming here probably 15, 20 years,” said Lynn Fennell, 83, of the Salina section of Bell Township. “Generally for meals. I don’t drink coffee. I come for breakfast or supper. I liked the food. I liked the service. I liked the place, period.
“I don’t understand it. Look at the cars,” he said, pointing to a dozen or so vehicles nearby in the parking lot.
As customers left, employees politely let them out the locked door. Hugs were exchanged.
“I can’t even get my last lunch, huh?” asked one man who declined to be interviewed and drove off.
Bill Schackner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill by email at bschackner@triblive.com or via Twitter .