Glenda’s set to close at month’s end

Word spread quickly about the closing of a local favorite, Glenda's restaurant, though the future of the property is to yet be determined.

The Cleveland restaurant has served guests for nearly 20 years, as both a place to families to enjoy a meal and for residents to gather and talk about local happenings over a biscuit and coffee.

Shawn Westmoreland, son of owner Mark Taylor and the late Glenda Taylor, said Monday, Jan. 31, will be the last day the business will be open. Glenda's recently began serving only breakfast, closing at 11 a.m. each day to allow employees to find new jobs.

Taylor and his sons each own a third of the property and have decided to sell due to family matters, Westmoreland said. The property also includes Cleveland Donuts and a

building once occupied by Cleveland Care Center. Westmoreland said the restaurant will close at month’s end even if no sale is finalized by then.

“Unfortunately, it's just one of those things where we weren't left with many options, so that's what we have decided to do,” he said.

As talk of the closing emerged, community speculation spread that a fast food chain would be locating on the property. No purchase had been verified as of press time.

“I only know it is for sale and the real estate agent has had people look at it,” Cleveland City Administrator Tom O’Bryant said last week. “Any new development on the site will go through plan review and permitting just like all the other development that the city has recently permitted.”