This Buffet Is Now Closed in Rochester

The old saying about the 'only thing being constant in life, is change' proved to be true again, at least when it comes to Rochester's restaurant scene.

The Old Country Buffet, on Salem Road in southwest Rochester, abruptly closed its doors over the weekend. A sign on the door Tuesday morning said the restaurant was "Closed for an Asset Inventory." It went on to say, "Thank you for your business" and that they "hope to serve you at another location very soon."

According to this Twincities.com story, the chain closed seven locations in the Twin Cities in February, with only the Burnsville location remaining open. It also closed an Old Country Buffet location in St. Cloud. The story did say, though, that Old Country Buffets in Duluth and Mankato are still open.

At least for now, that is. The entire chain is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, apparently, and it's not the first time. The story said, "In a statement Monday afternoon, San Antonio-based Buffets LLC — the current corporate entity overseeing the Old Country brand — said it is 'closing certain weaker restaurants" that were experiencing a "precipitous decline in sales.'"

The company said it has also lined up a multimillion-dollar recapitalization loan ahead of a Chapter 11 filing, which will be its third trip to bankruptcy court. Chapter 11 lets a company keep operating while reorganizing its finances under court supervision," the story noted.