UPDATE: Local Bob Evans restaurant shuts down abruptly

In January, when a private equity firm announced it had purchased Bob Evans Restaurants, the new owners went out of their way to assure its diners that the move would not result in any immediate closures of any Bob Evans locations.

In recent days, however, the Bob Evans restaurant at 1901 W. Dorothy Lane in Moraine shut down abruptly. By this weekend, all of the building’s identifying signage had been removed, and a small sign placed on the inside entrance door says simply that the restaurant was closed “effective immediately,” and rather than referring customers to specific nearby Bob Evans restaurants, the sign directs diners to “Please visit www.bobevans.com for additional locations.”

RELATED: Bob Evans sells all restaurant locations (January 2017)

Bob Evans still operates more than 20 restaurants across the Miami Valley, including locations in Centerville, Dayton, Beavercreek, Miamisburg, Xenia, Huber Heights, Springfield, Middletown, Hamilton and Springboro.

Messages left for Bob Evans officials via email and social media Saturday night had not been returned by this morning, Sunday Oct. 8.

RELATED: New Bob Evans owner vows no immediate restaurant closings (January 2017) 

One of the restaurant’s customers told this news outlet he had been in the Moraine Bob Evans a week ago, and had neither seen nor heard any sign the restaurant was about to close. A hostess at a neighboring restaurant said the move had taken place earlier a few days ago.

RELATED: Bob Evans Farms has been sold for $1.5 billion (September 2017)

After announcing the acquisition of Bob Evans Restaurants by Golden Gate Capital in January, the $565 million transaction was finalized in May. Golden Gate Capital officials said at the time they would retain the Bob Evans leadership team to guide the transition as they took part of the company private.

RELATED: Bob Evans restaurant in Centerville sold (June 2017)

And just three weeks ago, officials announced that Bob Evans Farms, Inc., the food company that remains after the sale of the restaurants, would be sold to Post Holdings, Inc. for $1.5 billion.

Founded in 1948 in Ohio, Bob Evans produces and distributes refrigerated potato, pasta and vegetable-based side dishes, pork sausage, and a variety of refrigerated and frozen convenience food items under the Bob Evans, Owens, Country Creek and Pineland Farms brands.

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