LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI -- Hartland Township’s longtime Big Boy restaurant has officially closed its doors after over 40 years in business.
Owners Nick and Jean Shaieb decided to close the location at 10587 Highland Road after making the decision to retire. The restaurant’s last day was on Memorial Day.
“After 41 incredible years of serving our cherished Hartland community, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the closing of our beloved restaurant,” the couple wrote in a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page on Tuesday, May 23. “The time has come for us to bid farewell to the place that has been our second home, where countless memories were made and laughter filled the air.”
Now, with the restaurant’s recent closure, there are no more Big Boy locations in Livingston County and the the state’s total number of restaurants is down to 50, according to Big Boy’s website.
Jean said the couple, both in their 60s, made the “sad but necessary decision” to make more time for themselves and their family. She said the Shaiebs didn’t have anyone interested in continuing the business.
The longtime owners have spent over four decades operating the location after Nick began running the restaurant in 1982. Jean said her husband began managing the business shortly after his cousin, who also owned a Big Boy in Waterford, built the Hartland location which opened in 1979.
With the couple’s recent announcement, Jean said she has been “humbled by the amount of customers and past employees who have come to say goodbye.” The co-owner said she had no clue the restaurant’s final weekend would be as busy as it was.
“The main thing I want to say is thank you to everybody that came out,” she said. “I can’t tell you how humbled we were -- I mean it was just amazing and I couldn’t believe it.”
“I think that made it a little easier for my husband who was having a really rough time making this decision.” she added. “I think that was the closure he needed.”
The Hartland Big Boy at 10587 Highland Road on Wednesday, May 31.
The Shaiebs are planning to sell the restaurant’s property and land, Jean said, adding she isn’t sure what the location may become in the future. While the co-owner said she would “love it to be a Big Boy,” she doubts the next buyer will continue the iconic restaurant’s legacy.
Along with thanking customers, Jean also wanted to highlight the employees who stayed with Hartland’s Big Boy until the end.
“Our journey wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering loyalty of our amazing staff, who poured their passion into days and nights and created an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality. You have been the backbone of our restaurant, and your dedication will never be forgotten,” the couple wrote in the Facebook post.
For the Shaiebs, running this restaurant has become more than just that over the years, Jean said, adding many customers and employees have become like an extended family. While it may be hard for the couple, she said it is time for the pair to move onto the next chapter.
“While our physical doors may be closing, we want you to know that the memories we’ve shared will forever live on in our hearts,” the couple wrote. “Thank you, Hartland, for embracing us, for allowing us to be part of your lives, and for being the reason we pursued our passion for all these years. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.”
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