Tallmadge -- After nearly a decade serving customers of all ages at its 70 East Ave. location, Erie Station Grille has closed its doors.
Rick Bochert, a 1971 Tallmadge High School graduate who is one of three partners of the restaurant, said it officially closed Feb. 6.
"We're sorry we had to close ... we had a lot of great customers, a lot of loyal customers who were great to our servers," he said. "It's just a shame it had to close."
Bochert said a confidentiality agreement among the partners prohibits him from saying what prompted the shut down.
The restaurant employed about 30 workers, 15 of whom were full time, he said.
Bochert said he's not planning to reopen the restaurant, and he's not sure if one of his business partners will either -- at the same or at another location.
The restaurant was known for its family-friendly atmosphere that was accommodating to adults with its full bar. A train car behind the building often was the site of small parties.
About 15 people from Tallmadge High School graduating classes in the 1970s worked together to renovate the 1941 building from a machine shop for ceramics manufacturer U.S. Stoneware. Erie Station Grille was the second new restaurant to open after voters approved on-site alcohol consumption in Tallmadge in 2001.
Bochert said he hopes the building retains its character if another restaurant opens within it.
"We put in a lot of effort to make it look nice. I just hope it stays the way it is," he said.
Dennis Loughry, economic developer for the city of Tallmadge, said the city hasn't been officially notified whether another restaurant is to open in the space.
Continue to check tallmadgeexpress.com for updates.
Email: hschoenstein@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-541-9428
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