Vernon Denny's Closes Abruptly

VERNON, CT — The Denny's Diner in Vernon's Tri-City Plaza closed abruptly Monday, leaving surprised employees without jobs and a slew of customers without the famous logo's traditional comfort food.

From Monday through Tuesday morning, a parade of customers has been traveling through the restaurant's parking lot, first with wide eyes on the entrance and then with heads shaking on the exit.

A sign on the door said:

"To our valued customers:

"It brings us great sadness to inform you that this location is permanently closed."

The message then referred customers to the Hartford Denny's at 539 Flatbush Ave. and the Southington Denny's at 621 Queen St.

The Vernon location was Part of the Denny's network, but was operated and owned independently.

No WARN notice had been posted on the Connecticut Department of Labor website as of Tuesday morning. Angry employees were spouting off on social media both Monday and Tuesday, as were disgruntled customers.

One Vernon resident who said he passes by Denny's every day took the big road Tuesday morning by saying it was a chance to visit "the variety of restaurants Vernon has to offer."

The Enfield Denny's, located at 111 Elm St., closed on Sept. 15.

The sign on the door at the Enfield location was nearly identical to the sign in Vernon:

"To our valued customers: effective 9/13/22 this unit is [permanently] closed. Please visit us at our Vernon location, 35 Talcottville Rd., or [Springfield] location, 1284 Boston Road."

Vernon Director of Development Services Shaun Gately said town officials were not notified of the closing. He said he would be reaching out to the landlord to see if the property manager had advance notice.

The Denny's in West Haven closed for good in September, Patch previously reported. Hearst Connecticut reported that the Wethersfield Denny's location closed at the end of September.

Besides Southington and Hartford, there are also Denny's locations in New London and Danbury.