Hotel Saxonburg management officially announces restaurant closure
Hotel Saxonburg management announced on Wednesday the historic restaurant is officially closing.
In a statement on Facebook, the restaurant management announced it will cease restaurant operations due to health issues, rising costs of food and expenses that were a part of maintaining a historic building.
"It has been an honor to serve this wonderful community, and we're truly grateful for the memories and support we've shared along the way," said the management team.
Community members said the news was shocking.
"Oh wow, that was just a shock to me cause I didn't realize it and I walk usually every day, I walk the streets, but I did not hear that one," said Marlyn Mendicino.
"I haven't heard anything about anything closing around here so it's just weird because I get updates and stuff from like Facebook and all that and nobody's said anything," said Destinee Henderson.
For many, the closure hits close to home.
"We've had many lunches there, dinners, Christmas parties with different groups I'm with. So yeah, it's a nice meeting spot," said Mendicino.
Main Street in Saxonburg is filled with historic buildings and local shops. Other business owners said they're sad to see it go and hope it doesn't harm the town's economy.
"It's been a cornerstone of the community since the 1800s. It's always been a family place where local families could come and it was a good draw to Main Street for the other small businesses on this street," said Melinda Berzonski, the owner of Saxonburg Coffee & Tea.
The restaurant's website has been disabled.
According to its Facebook page, it had undergone many changes and was known as the Vogley House until 1863. It was then renamed the Union Hotel, and it was known as the Laube House until the end of the 1800s.
KDKA-TV reached out to the owners about possible future plans but did not hear back.
