'The Family Buggy' Owner To Retire, Close Restaurant
FARMINGTON HILLS (WWJ) - After 45 years of service a famous Farmington Hills restaurant will shut their doors this Sunday.
WWJ's Kathryn Larson sat down to enjoy some home cooking and an atmosphere of days gone by at The Family Buggy.
"Old time hospitality, it's for the families. It's not high-priced or high-scale," said owner Don Payne. "The buggy was the buggy of the common man. We were not the coach or the carriage, we were the buggy."
Payne said for decades the well-loved local eatery has kept chugging, but this buggy ride is about to end.
"It's kind of a strange feeling, it's kind of like you're a retiring coach and you've got all the fans supporting you, you know, and everybody is cheering for you but you know after the game you're going to retire," said Payne.
At 70-years-old, Payne said the final days of operation have seen a rush of business and a real mix of emotion.
"Everybody is coming in to let you know how much they appreciate you, but then there's that other feeling of well, this is the last game," said Payne.
Many loyal fans like Alan Prescorn, who has taken his family here since the 70's, waiting in the long line to enjoy one last meal while they still could.
"I'm here at least once a week if not more, forever. Ernie Harwell used to come in here all the time. This is just a great place to meet friends and family," said Prescorn.
Likewise, Trudy Fisher has made the Family Buggy part of her life, a part she's very sad to see go.
"Now that we're all retired, we meet here just about every month. We have the same thing and we just love it," said Fisher.
Payne said he hopes the restaurant is remembered for all the personal touches they put on the dining experience and the sense of nostalgia diners were able to enjoy.
