Some 40 years after Pappas Diner opened in Tallahassee, owner Kim Pappas said the poor health of her husband Spiro, 80, gave them no choice but to close, still a hard call for them and their legion of regular customers.

“I feel like it's time for me to go because of my age," he told the Tallahassee Democrat, suffering two heart attacks and now with a pacemaker. "The doctor says I should not be working anymore,” he said.

The customers poured in for the last day, seeing a letter on the door along with the Friends and Family Wall, of photos showing the family with so many who came to eat and found friendship too.

Spiro moved to the United States from Cyprus and opened his first restaurant in New York City. They have two sons, who worked in the restaurant business along with their mother's mother and a nephew.

Kim said she plans to take some time off to get Spiro settled into retirement before she begins looking for another opportunity for the family.

"We're not saying goodbye, we're saying see you around town," she said.