The diner has been around for more than 40 years.

The Balzac Diner will be closing it's doors on March 3rd. Serving as a popular spot for locals and tourists, the diner has decided to close it's doors as a result of management and lease renewal issues, according to owner Bonnie McDougall.

McDougall says it's been a very difficult decision to make.

"I'm trying not to be sad. We have a month and a half, we get 30 people or more a day coming and going 'Oh it's so sad, aren't you sad?' and it's like no, I can't be sad until the last day because I have a month and a half. I have to pace myself. Sunday, March 3rd is our last day for service."

McDougall has been the owner for two years and worked with the previous owner who had it for seven years when it was known as The Rocking Horse Cafe. Before that it was known as The Balzac Store.

The popular diner has long served as a local spot for food, coffee, and dessert and many regulars are sad to see it close. One of it's regular patrons, Gord Church, has been coming to the diner for about 40 years and even has his own Reserved sign at his table.

"I'm not very happy. We're going to miss Bonnie and Leanne cause they're really, really good people," expresses Church.

Despite the impending closure, McDougall is trying to stay positive and hoping to open elsewhere locally.

"I would like to open somewhere else, I've looked in Airdrie. I have the entire community looking for me for a new location, so it'll just be a matter of time and finding something hopefully around here. But it's tough, I'm in sort of a weird spot."

The Balzac Diner will be open on March 3rd for its last day of service.

 

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