After 19 years in business, the Pine Cone Diner in downtown Point Reyes Station has officially closed. A notice posted outside the restaurant on Saturday announced the closure, as curious locals waded through shelves and boxes full of the restaurant’s cooking equipment and dishware being sold in the outdoor seating area.
“The Pine Cone Diner is now closed,” the notice read. “From all of us who served you, thank you for 19 years of your love and support.”
The restaurant’s owner, Joan Kwit, declined to comment on why she had made the decision to close.
A flood of comments from local residents and fans of the restaurant filled an online post about the closure on The West Marin Feed, a Facebook page dedicated to West Marin news. Many commenters lamented the loss of a mainstay local business, while others shared recollections and support for Ms. Kwit.
“My fondest memories are of my sister and I working the dinner shifts during the dot com era of summer 2001,” wrote Alex Porrata, of Inverness. “We slang chicken dinners and loved every minute of it. I’m so sad to see it close but I am also impressed by your choice to close on your own terms. As we all know, all good things must come to an end.”
A popular breakfast spot for locals and visitors alike, the Pine Cone had the feel of a classic, small-town American diner, where ranchers would stop by for a morning cup of coffee. Ms. Kwit and four partners bought the existing restaurant, Joe’s Family Diner, in 1998.