LEXINGTON, Ky. — A longtime Lexington family-owned restaurant, known across the Commonwealth for their buffet-styled home cooking, will close its doors for good after nearly 50 years in business.

They’ll serve the final buffet plates Friday, April 8 before the doors close at 6 p.m.

Dozens of people stood in line to say goodbye to a beloved restaurant that’s been serving customers like Joe Ann Wylie since 1974.

“It’s an end of an era. It’s something we’ve always had and we won’t have anymore,” Wylie said.

83 year old Joe Ann Wylie and longtime customer inside Max’s Loudon Square Buffet in Lexington one last time for lunch before restaurant closes permanently. (Spectrum News 1/Brennon Gurley)

Friday is last call for Max’s Loudon Square Buffet, and for regulars like Wylie, it’s emotional.

“We’re all getting older, and things that are a traditions in our family or things that you think are never going to end… it’s a sad time,” Wylie added.

As one of owner Max Flannery’s first customers, she calls the restaurant business a family affair.

The 83-year-old mother of 4 said it’s been a place where she celebrated family gatherings and reunions with friends.

“Max served us a lot for over 40 years and I cared about him. I cared about his wife. We were thrilled when he had Silas, his son. He’s seen my children grow up,” recalled Wylie.

David Bingham, who is Flannery’s right-hand man, has been bringing out piping hot, southern goodness for the last 30 years.

He said the business has been more like a family—customers and employees included.

“The people, for sure. There’s a lot of loyal customers that come here and I’ll miss those people the most,” Bingham said.

Customers grabbing lunch at Max’s Loudon Square Buffet in Lexington. (Spectrum News 1/Brennon Gurley)

Like many small businesses, they just couldn’t make the money they needed to stay afloat because of high electricity bills.

Plus, owners said they’ve struggled to rebound following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It wasn’t sustaining itself. We had way more out than coming in, you know. It takes business and money to run a place,” Bingham explained.

Flannery recently fell and is currently in rehab where he is recovering, but Bingham said he won’t be able to return to work. That’s why his wife, Sandy, decided to close the business.

“We thought about it, she thought about it and it’s just a hard thing,” said Bingham.

Now faithful customers like Susan Conway are left raising one last glass, and one bite of the famous catfish, in honor of Max’s Loudon Square Buffet.

“Come for the fish, the greens, and the stew tomatoes. I love it,” said Conway.

As the last bites are taken, Conway said this restaurant is as close to home as it gets, and that’s why she’s sad to see it close.

“Especially home cooking like what you had when you were a kid, but yeah, I’m really going to miss it,” explains Conway.