Erie resident Turner Donaldson says hearing the news of the recent closing of the Old Country Buffet restaurant felt like a punch to his formidable gut. “I can’t believe it,” said Donaldson. “I’ve been going there for almost 20 years. The staff always reserved my special table; the one closest to the fried chicken.”

Donaldson was preparing for one of his thrice weekly visits to OCB when his wife broke the news. “Before my wife told me, she said I should sit down. Of course, I was already sitting down, but that didn’t soften the blow.”

When asked what he will miss most about his favorite restaurant, Donaldson said, “I guess I’ll miss Thursday family night the most, because kids are easier to push out of the way at the carved meat station.”

When told that Golden Corral was still open, Donaldson replied “I’m not going there. I have my standards, you know.”