COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — When thinking about a classic American diner, The Grill & Skillet fits the blueprint.

Its checkered tile floors support classic diner booths of all sizes, surrounding a central counter where visitors can sit on familiar cushioned seats. The food is cheap, greasy and delicious, and the menu includes burgers, milkshakes and a hearty country breakfast. Its red and white exterior matches the newly fixed oversized roadside sign: “Grill & Skillet, breakfast anytime!”

But soon, the windows along each wall of the one-story building will shutter. Owners Diana Cain and John Flood announced last week that the 80-year-old shop will close on March 2.

“The Grill and Skillet gave us all a place to feel at home,” they wrote via social media. “However, as much as we love ‘The Grill’ and seeing you walk through our doors, this is, to say the least, a bittersweet choice and a most difficult decision.”

According to its website, the diner was founded right after World War II in 1945 and has been operating under its current name since 1965. The current family owners have managed the shop since 1986, and said that after 40 years and numerous attempts to sell rather than close, they reached the difficult conclusion.

“There are no words that clearly express the love and gratitude we feel for our staff that worked so hard to keep the vision alive,” the farewell letter said. “It is so rare to find such a committed, hardworking, talented and friendly staff anywhere. We became a family. So very grateful for the love and tremendous efforts, you are all amazing.”

The announcement was met with dozens of mourning customers, so many the owners commented that the volume of messages made it impossible to reply to each one. However, they said they read them all. Diners shared memories of family weekend breakfasts, former workers said they remembered it as their favorite job and nearly everyone said they needed to stop in once more before it closed.

“We are grateful for your continued support and loyalty; you are the direct reason for our success and we are truly humbled and honored to have served you,” the owners wrote. “You trusted us with your most treasured events: birthday celebrations, first dates, children growing up, epic parties and celebrations of life, and many other completely routine and sometimes totally extraordinary moments.”

In true classic diner fashion, the spot is cash-only. Visitors hoping to slide into a cushioned booth over a cup of hot coffee once more can stop in between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. five days a week. The Grill is closed on Wednesday and Sunday, and located at 2924 E. Main St.