By Chad Ingram

Published Jan. 11 2018

A Minden staple has closed its doors.

The Village Chalet Family Restaurant located along the downtown strip of Bobcaygeon Road and in business some 25 years has shut down.

Staff at the eatery were informed of the closure in late December.

“It is with great sadness I am informing everyone that Village Chalet as we know it is closed indefinitely” read a Dec. 27 post on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

“The staff were just informed late at night on Boxing Day and I feel we need to share with you our loyal customers. I am sorry we are unable to give you more notice this is the notice we were given. I know I speak for the staff when I say we will miss all the good times that were shared with you our friends and customers and we will miss your smiling faces on a daily basis. Thank you for your undying loyalty.”

The Facebook post was written by longtime employee Donna Young who’d worked at the restaurant since 2001.

Young told the paper she’ll miss the regular customers whom staff got to know so well.

“They were a great group of people they came daily” she said. “We loved our customers. They made our day. It’s going to be a big adjustment.”

Many customers took to social media lamenting the Village Chalet’s closure.

“I will miss the staff neighbours and the comfort of knowing you could always go to the Village for a friendly chat” wrote one customer.

“Donna’s 'Bacon Boys' had gone there since they were in diapers” wrote another.

The Times was unable to make contact with the owners before press time.