One of the most historic Texarkana venues will be closing at the end of the month. Bryce’s Cafeteria has served our community for almost 90 years, but the restaurant will be sold to new owners after April 30.

“I used to go all the time with my step dad and mom,” junior Anna Kate Jordan said. “It was always one of my sister’s favorite places, so if she ever got to choose we’d go there. I think that it’s been a part of Texarkana for a long time, and I know lots of people will be sad to see it go.”

Many students have grown up eating at Bryce’s and are apprehensive about the change.

“I’ve been going to Bryce’s ever since I was 4 years old and I’ve gotten the same pie every time I’ve gone,” senior Matt Francis said. “I consider it a staple of Texarkana. While it’s sad to see it close, it really helps me remember all the good times I’ve had with my family in that building.”

The new owners are planning on turning the traditional southern eatery into a health food store.

“I used to go there every now and then with my grandparents after church when I was a lot younger,” junior Luke Carter said. “I never went often enough for it to really become a tradition for me, but I know that for a lot of people it was like an unspoken rule to go there after church every Sunday. I’m sure that it’ll be pretty dearly missed by the people that have spent decades making memories at Bryce’s.”

Since the announcement of the closing, Bryce’s Facebook page has created a forum by which people in the community can post about their memories at the iconic restaurant.

Although the change is startling and uncomfortable for some, many have taken the chance to enjoy the food for one last time.

“When my family found out that Bryce’s was closing it was really sad, especially for my dad who had always been a fan of Bryce’s,” junior Gage McDonald said. “We made one last trip to make sure that we could get one last meal from a focal point that made Texarkana what it was.”