Columbia, SC (WLTX)- Dianne Light has made the tough decision to close her restaurant on Devine Street after serving up food for over 24 years.
She told her employees after they finished their shifts Monday night.
"It was definitely a shocker for me," said Alex Torres, a line cook at Dianne's on Devine. "We had a mandatory meeting and she kept it real short, it was clearly not easy for her."
Torres is one of nearly 45 employees at Dianne's on Devine. Some of those employees work part-time at Dianne's other restaurant, DiPrato's, which the owner says is the reason for the sudden change.
"I think it was time for her to move onto her next step and it was time for her to move on. She has a great thing at DiPrato's and is looking forward to marketing the pimento cheese," said her business consultant, John Bruntly.
Dianne posted this message on Dianne's on Devine's facebook page:
"With mixed emotions, we've closed Dianne's on Devine after 24 years, 18 of which have been on Devine Street," said owner Dianne Light on Facebook. "I've loved serving you for special occasions, business meetings
or just a nice evening out over the years. You all are like family to us."
Dianne's first opened on Assembly street in 1989, before moving to Devine street in 1995.