NEWS

Detroit's last Big Boy is closing

Nicole Chatman, 33, of Harrison Township poses with the Big Boy while Tariq Ali, 38, of Detroit takes a photo at the Big Boy restaurant on the last day of business on East Jefferson in Detroit on April 16, 2017. Chatman grew up not far from the Big Boy and came there often over the years.
Nicole Chatman, 33, of Harrison Township poses with the Big Boy while Tariq Ali, 38, of Detroit takes a photo at the Big Boy restaurant on the last day of business on East Jefferson in Detroit on April 16, 2017. Chatman grew up not far from the Big Boy and came there often over the years.
Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Server Tara McIntosh hugs regular customer Willie Tyson Jr. after he enters the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson in Detroit on April 16, 2017. Easter is the last day the Big Boy will be open.
Server Tara McIntosh hugs regular customer Willie Tyson Jr. after he enters the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson in Detroit on April 16, 2017. Easter is the last day the Big Boy will be open.
Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Manager Norman Ina, right, sits with Pattie Tyson, 92, and her son, Willie Tyson Jr., a regular, longtime customers at the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson.
Manager Norman Ina, right, sits with Pattie Tyson, 92, and her son, Willie Tyson Jr., a regular, longtime customers at the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson.
Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Marchenette Brown has been coming to the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson for years.
Marchenette Brown has been coming to the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson for years.
Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
The sign at the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson says "Thank you for 50 years" in Detroit on April 16, 2017.
The sign at the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson says "Thank you for 50 years" in Detroit on April 16, 2017.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
Roger Frank, 51, of Detroit takes a photo of the Big Boy at the Big Boy restaurant. Frank lives a few blocks away and thought he should get one more Classic Big Boy burger before the location closes.
Roger Frank, 51, of Detroit takes a photo of the Big Boy at the Big Boy restaurant. Frank lives a few blocks away and thought he should get one more Classic Big Boy burger before the location closes.
Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Mary Lloyd of Highland Park has been coming to the Big boy since 1979. She is shown with her meal at the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson.
Mary Lloyd of Highland Park has been coming to the Big boy since 1979. She is shown with her meal at the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson.
Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
A "Thank you for 50 years" sign at the the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson Avenue near Belle Isle on Saturday April 1, 2017. The long time Big Boy was bought and its final day will be Easter Sunday.
A "Thank you for 50 years" sign at the the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson Avenue near Belle Isle on Saturday April 1, 2017. The long time Big Boy was bought and its final day will be Easter Sunday.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
Waitress Angela Swilling has worked at the The Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson Avenue for 17-years and will miss her job and friends. The sale is part of larger development plan for the Islansdview neighborhood
Waitress Angela Swilling has worked at the The Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson Avenue for 17-years and will miss her job and friends. The sale is part of larger development plan for the Islansdview neighborhood
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
A "Thank you for 50 years" sign on the door at the The Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson Avenue .
A "Thank you for 50 years" sign on the door at the The Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson Avenue .
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
The new owners of the property say they are taking great efforts to build what many residents of the IslandviewCQ neighborhood want.
The new owners of the property say they are taking great efforts to build what many residents of the IslandviewCQ neighborhood want.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
People pass by the famed Big Boy statue at the entrance of the restaurant.
People pass by the famed Big Boy statue at the entrance of the restaurant.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
Nick Waller and his wife Val share a moment on Saturday at the famed Big Boy on East Jefferson. The couple have been customers for 40 years.
Nick Waller and his wife Val share a moment on Saturday at the famed Big Boy on East Jefferson. The couple have been customers for 40 years.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
Waitress Conchica Lolie has worked at the The Big Boy restaurant 10 years and will miss her job and friends.
Waitress Conchica Lolie has worked at the The Big Boy restaurant 10 years and will miss her job and friends.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
April Jackson, right, and Keisha Moore enjoy their final days at the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson Avenue.
April Jackson, right, and Keisha Moore enjoy their final days at the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson Avenue.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
Michael A. Curis, president of Curis Enterprises which has owned the Big Boy, poses with former President Barack Obama in a picture hanging in the restaurant.
Michael A. Curis, president of Curis Enterprises which has owned the Big Boy, poses with former President Barack Obama in a picture hanging in the restaurant.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
The iconic Renaissance Center is seen in the distance from the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson Avenue.
The iconic Renaissance Center is seen in the distance from the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson Avenue.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
The former East Grand Nursing Home at 130 East Grand Blvd. is one of the many properties purchased by a development group called The Platform.
The former East Grand Nursing Home at 130 East Grand Blvd. is one of the many properties purchased by a development group called The Platform.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
The former East Grand Nursing Home at 130 East Grand Blvd.
The former East Grand Nursing Home at 130 East Grand Blvd.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
The former East Grand Nursing Home at 130 East Grand Blvd. was designed by famed architect Louis Kamper. The building will be renovated along three other historic properties.
The former East Grand Nursing Home at 130 East Grand Blvd. was designed by famed architect Louis Kamper. The building will be renovated along three other historic properties.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
A home at 144 East Grand Blvd is one of the properties purchased The Platform, buyer of the Big Boy restaurant on Jefferson Avenue.
A home at 144 East Grand Blvd is one of the properties purchased The Platform, buyer of the Big Boy restaurant on Jefferson Avenue.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
The house at 144 East Grand Blvd is one of the many properties purchased by a development group.
The house at 144 East Grand Blvd is one of the many properties purchased by a development group.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
The house at 144 East Grand Blvd.
The house at 144 East Grand Blvd.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
The home at 144 East Grand Blvd.
The home at 144 East Grand Blvd.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
A building at 7220 Congress is one of the properties purchased by The Platform.
A building at 7220 Congress is one of the properties purchased by The Platform.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
The building at 7220 Congress.
The building at 7220 Congress.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
The building at 7220 Congress
The building at 7220 Congress
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
An empty lot at 7222 Congress is one of the many properties purchased for redevelopment.
An empty lot at 7222 Congress is one of the many properties purchased for redevelopment.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
The empty lot at 7222 Congress bought by the buyer of the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit.
The empty lot at 7222 Congress bought by the buyer of the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
The Immanuel House of Prayer is across the street 7222 Congress.
The Immanuel House of Prayer is across the street 7222 Congress.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News
An empty lot at 150 East Grand Blvd. is one of the properties purchased The Platform, buyer of the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson Avenue.
An empty lot at 150 East Grand Blvd. is one of the properties purchased The Platform, buyer of the Big Boy restaurant on East Jefferson Avenue.
Max Ortiz, The Detroit News