278 Restaurant, a beloved Etowah Co. icon, closes abruptly

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ETOWAH COUNTY, AL (WBRC) - A Gadsden area "meat and three" that's been an institution since the U.S. Bicentennial, has abruptly closed its doors.

People who wanted to have lunch at the 278 Restaurant on Tuesday found themselves face to face with a pair of locked doors and a notice that said the restaurant was "out of business."

The restaurant's most recent operator and lessee, Brian Carnes, took it over in May, upon the death of previous longtime owner Ron Stancil. The restaurant even underwent a name change, from Ron's 278 Restaurant to Carnes 278 Restaurant.

"We've been working hard getting your restaurant ready to reopen and we're almost finished," Carnes said in a Facebook post. "We are very happy to be a part of this community."

WBRC reached out to Carnes, who also owns the Lions Den in Sardis City, but he has not responded with any comment.

"I need a new tenant soon as possible," said the restaurant's and building's owner, Misty Watson. "I worry most about the employees. I'm working hard to get them back to work. They are my main concern at this point."

Watson says her parents built and opened the restaurant in 1976, and it was celebrating its 40th anniversary. She took over in 1999. Previous lessee Ron Stancil had owned and operated two Western Sizzlin franchises and converted a 1910 barn with concrete silos into the Barn Restaurant in Jacksonville.

The restaurant was known for its hamburgers, catfish, country fried steak and homemade pies. Its hand-breaded chicken fingers were especially well known and could be ordered in bulk, becoming a staple at church picnics, family reunions and birthday parties in the area. It was located on Highway 278 in East Gadsden, a very short distance from the city limits of both Glencoe and Hokes Bluff, and also attracted customers from nearby employers like Goodyear and Gadsden Regional Medical Center.

Disappointed diners came and went Tuesday, hoping to drop by for lunch but finding the doors locked. Some of them reportedly headed to the nearby Hungry Hut in Glencoe.

"Say it isn't so!" said one disappointed customer on Facebook. Another said she had been there for lunch as recently as Sunday. The restaurant's Facebook page advertised its daily specials as recently as last Friday. "TGIF! Come and get it!" said the post. "We'll have our delicious chicken and dressing, hamburger steaks, country fried steak or chicken, hand breaded chicken tenders, BBQ and chicken salad."

The "out of business" sign tells interested parties to inquire next door about locating any businesses in the space. The next door business, the 278 Exxon convenience store, has the apparent distinction of being one of the last full-serve gas station in Etowah County with attendants pumping gas.