Silver Spring’s Tastee Diner has closed after more than eight decades of serving burgers and breakfast.

The 24-hour diner that opened in 1935 shuttered abruptly earlier today to make way for a mixed-use development. An employee at the Laurel location confirmed to DCist/WAMU that the Silver Spring restaurant is now permanently closed.

The D.C. developer Roadside Development officially purchased the property at 711 Ramsey Avenue earlier this week for an undisclosed amount of money, per the Washington Business Journal.

The developer explained in a press release provided to DCist/WAMU that this acquisition, along with last summer’s purchase of the adjacent lot, will allow Roadside to redevelop this three-quarter of an acre piece of property within downtown Silver Spring.

While Roadside did not share the designs or size of the mixed-use building being planned, the company did say that it plans on incorporating the original 1946, 800-square-foot dining car currently on the site.

Long-time Tastee Diner owner Gene Wilkes made the decision to sell to the developer and close his restaurant now because of medical reasons.

“Due to personal medical reasons, I’ve decided to sell the property to Roadside. I have truly enjoyed getting to know their team, and I take comfort in knowing that the site will be in the hands of people who build spectacular projects, understand the community, and respect everything I have put into Tastee Diner,” Wilkes said in the press release. “I need to spend more time focusing on my personal life and could no longer operate in this location, but I am elated that the original dining car will be incorporated into the new design. I have full faith in Roadside, and I am confident they will find a creative way to incorporate or repurpose the original dining car.”

The Silver Spring diner dates back close to 90 years and was named a Montgomery County Historic Landmark in 1994. It was moved to its current site from its original location about a block away in 2000 because of the incoming Discovery Communication headquarters.

A number of regulars showed up this afternoon at the diner on Ramsey Avenue hoping to grab a last meal prior to closing, but it appears they were already too late.

https://twitter.com/CheyenneCorin/status/1638598738867265544

WTOP reporter Nick Iannelli tweeted a photo of the door with a sign that reads, “The Tastee Diner of Silver Spring has closed. Thank you for the opportunity for letting us serve you for so many years.”

https://twitter.com/NickWTOP/status/1638601232611680264

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich also tweeted his surprise about the closure while Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass apparently was able to get one last coffee at the notable diner.

https://twitter.com/EvanMGlass/status/1638627027681943575?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1638627027681943575%7Ctwgr%5E8e8ffdf2d1bbe1cbcf877b37859608d48a8f699d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fdcist.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D4982994action%3Dedit

An employee at the Laurel location confirmed that both the Laurel and Bethesda diners will remain open.