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  • A notice on the door of the Golden Corral in Duncan, confirms the closing of the business, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, which is owned by Michael and Cindy Hale of Duncan. They owned and operated the restaurant for 15 years, but made a decision to close after a lease agreement could not be reached. (See related story) Rebeka Rutledge/The Duncan Banner

    Golden Corral closes in Duncan
November 26, 2012

Golden Corral closes in Duncan

Toni Hopper The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Duncan’s Golden Corral is closed. The suddeness of it surprised many of Duncan’s residents and a sign on the door confirmed it for those who have gone to the place Monday. It was officially closed Sunday.

Owners Michael and Cindy Hale made the decision to close the business they’ve owned for 15 years, but it wasn’t an easy one, said Cindy.

“We loved serving people in Duncan and so many people are like family to us but our contract was up Nov. 30 and we could not come to terms on a new lease,” she said in an official statement to The Banner early today.

“We will miss everyone but after 15 years of running Golden Corral, it’s time for a change. We wish everyone the best.”

There have been concerns by area readers about the timeliness of the business closing, especially in regards to its employees. Christmas is a month away, and some people even expressed outrage at the situation.

In the official statement, Cindy addressed the issue of the sudden closing.

“Restaurants don’t give notice because the day you give notice is your last day. Too many people would quit to look for other jobs and the whole restaurant would have to close because you can’t run it on half the staff.”

Over the years, the restaurant has served as a meeting place for organizations, wake up breakfasts for the business community and even as a birthday party location.

“We kept people working as long as we could. We love our employees, they were friends and many like family to us, so it was very hard to have to close like this but we had no other choice at this time.”

See Tuesday’s Banner for another story on the closing.

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