One customer noted that a Cracker Barrel restaurant — a competitor of Bob Evans — directly across the street from the shuttered restaurants appears to be quite busy during many hours of the day.
A sign taped to the inside of the entrance door of the Bob Evans restaurant reads: “Thank you for being our guest. This restaurant has been temporarily closed, but we would love to have you at one of our nearby locations,” referring customers to a Far Hills Avenue restaurant in Centerville and a location on East Dorothy Lane in Kettering.
There are no visible signs that Bob Evans intends to make the closure permanent. The restaurant’s dining room tables and chairs are intact, the ceiling fans are still on, and even a computer screen remains illuminated and seemingly ready to go.
We asked a spokeswoman for Bob Evans Restaurants last week about the dormant location and received a reply that, “There are no new updates to share at this time as that location remains in temporary closure status.”
We followed up and asked whether the Wilmington Pike restaurant was the only Dayton-area location that hasn’t reopened since the coronavirus pandemic, and received a similar reply: “We don’t have any additional updates to share at this time related to any of the other Dayton restaurants.”
On its web site, Bob Evans restaurants says, "We’ve always believed in treating strangers like friends and friends like family. During this time, we’re all family and looking out for each other will help us get through these challenges.
When you need a comfort meal, Bob Evans will get it to you safely whether you are dining-in or taking out. Place your order online for delivery to your home, takeout or curbside pickup at your local Bob Evans and feel confident you’ll not only stay safe, but be well fed.”
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