Citing labor and food costs as the culprit, Annie’s Diner owner Jason Sanders sold the Kaysville property at 286 North 400 West and closed the doors on June 1, 2024. Property records indicate the property was purchased by a new corporation, SES 343 LLC out of Perry, Utah, registered with the State of Utah on April 24, 2024. It is hard to guess what progress will bring to this location. 

Sanders said although he knows Annie’s Diner will be torn down, he is unsure about what will go up in its place on the 1.5-acre commercial parcel. “Already, you can view development progress on the parcel adjacent to Annie’s.”

Property records indicate Joanie’s Restaurant opened on the location in 1995. Granny Annie’s took over in 2004, and Sanders bought the property in 2020, renaming it Annie’s Diner because he and his family loved it and wanted to keep the community restaurant intact. Sanders said he tried hard to keep it what it was without raising prices or making too many changes. He kept the classic American comfort food recipes the same and tried to retain the diner’s family feel.

When Sanders announced on social media on May 21 that the diner would be closing for good on June 1, patrons flocked to the diner for one last meal and to say goodbye. So many social media comments talked about the Kaysville landmark, memories, and tasty food shared by the community over the years. Many were sad that the business was not as profitable as it should have been, and others blamed those who had not been to the restaurant in years but were now sad, asking “where has your support been before now?” Others said Sanders should have raised prices or worried about “yet another car wash being built.” 

Sanders said the decision to sell was heart wrenching for his family. “We have loved this place and our guests, but we have been losing too much money and can’t do it anymore.” 

Anne Hunsinger posted that she recalled the first time Annie’s opened; saying it was so busy they had to return four times just to get a seat. “We were never disappointed with the service or quality of food, making it a point to dine there at least twice a month.” 

Hunsinger said the service had recently appeared to decline, but the employees who worked there over the years were great and friendly. Others lamented about another great restaurant going away, or that they always brought company there for a great meal or hosted reunions or weddings in the back rooms.

“The pandemic drastically changed eating habits and sit-down places have lost a lot of business…many are closing, take-out and drive-through models have taken over,” Lagertha Honkler said.

Marshall Curry took to Facebook recently and said, “Granny Annie is my mom, and since hearing that it is going to be torn down, she has struggled some with the loss.” He would love to make her a collection of memories of her restaurant while she ran it and asked Kaysville residents to respond or post pictures, stories, and memories. 

“We are sad to say farewell to Annie’s but grateful for the ways in which it supported Kaysville and surrounding communities,” said Kaysville Mayor Tamara Tran. 

Sanders hosted an all-out party on June 1, complete with a live band, balloon artist, magician, and breakfast to as many patrons as the staff could serve.