July 3, 2012 — Customers in the habit of dining at Shoney’s breakfast buffet had a rude awakening Monday morning when they showed up to find doors locked and a sign on the marquee stating that the restaurant is closed.
The lot was vacant at the restaurant, which was open as late as Sunday.
Shoney’s of Morehead opened in 1991 under ownership of Ewers Family Restaurants, Inc., with Wallace O. Ewers of Louisa as president and majority stockholder. He died last December.
The company has yet to renew its corporate charter in 2012, according to the Secretary of State’s website.
At one time, the company also had restaurants in Mt. Sterling, Paintsville and Hazard.
The Morehead store was said to be the last unit operating under the family-owned company. It was managed by Wally Ewers II, son of the founder. He was not available for comment on Monday.
Efforts to contact Shoney’s corporate headquarters in Nashville, Tenn., were unsuccessful.
When the Morehead Shoney’s first opened, a Shoney’s Inn motel was located next door. It later was rebranded as Holiday Inn Express.
Shoney’s was started in 1947 in Charleston, W.Va., and today has restaurants in 17 states, according to its website.
