DIAMOND VALLEY - An iconic Diamond Valley restaurant announced it will be closing its doors.
Marv Garriott, owner of Marv’s Classic Soda Shop, which has become a staple in the community since it opened in 2000, announced Aug. 17 that he will be closing the 1950s diner in early September.
“It is a sad day at Marv's today as I have to announce the end of an era,” he posted on Facebook. “I find with the staffing situation today I am unable to go into another year. It saddens me as this was likely the last place in Canada to actually experience the sound of a vinyl juke box or the 1920's trickle of the soda fountain.
“The September long weekend will be my last day of business. Everything in the store is now officially for sale. I thank everyone for all the fun times over the years and the wonderful people I have known from all over the world.”
The post has generated over 200 comments since it went up yesterday as Marv’s has created a loyal following far and wide.
Garriott told the Wheel last month that he was looking for a buyer for his iconic restaurant but wasn’t holding out a lot of hope of finding one.
“I’m having troubles leaving it,” he said. “I’m having some health issues and I’ve been 24 years here.
“Everything is going pretty good, but in the wintertime out here, everything you make in the summer is gone by the winter. I’m not making much money on it, so nobody really wants to buy it and it’s a tough thing to just let go.”
He said the clientele can vary significantly from those stumbling on the place to individuals travelling thousands of kilometres to get a taste of the ’50s.
“I’ve got people in from Britain, Australia, all over the world. We get lots just going out to Kananaskis or down south to the (United) States and to B.C.
“It’s an experience from the past that very few people have anymore and it’s tough to just let it go.”
