With the ever changing landscape of Barrie's Bayfield Street, there has been one constant.
The Crock and Block restaurant. That is about to change. The family style restaurant, known for prime rib and yorkshire pudding, abruptly closed Sunday after 45 years.
The message on its website says simply "Sorry, we have permanently closed. Thank you Barrie and area for the years of support and allowing us the opportunity serving Barrie and area for over 40 years."
A sign posted on the door of the darkened restaurant reads:
"It is with great sadness we post this notice to say Crock and Block Restaurant has permanently CLOSED. We thank you for the opportunity to have served our valued patrons for over the last 40 plus years! Kindest regards"
The Barrie location was the last of the once booming Crock and Block restaurant chain and its closing came as a surprise to employees.
"It's the end of an era," said a staffer who declined to be named. "It's a tough business."
About 22 full and part-time people were employed at the Bayfield eatery, some for more than twenty years.
With its dark paneling and tapestry chairs, the Crock and Block offered a casual family atmosphere with a wide menu and was known for its "teacup bread" which was just that: a bun served in a cup.
Regular customers, on hearing the news have expressed surprise by the closure saying they had dined there within the last couple of weeks.
Calls to the restaurant have gone unanswered.
Employees have no word on what will happen at the Bayfield site.
