The Mayflower, oldest restaurant in Athens, has closed after 75 years in business

After 75 years of service, Athens' oldest restaurant has closed its doors. Mayflower owner Ricky Vaughn told the Banner-Herald that his 171 E. Broad St. business ceased operations on Sunday.

Established in 1948, the downtown culinary staple survived the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and remained an ever-popular breakfast destination run solely by Vaughn and his wife, Lisa. The Vaughn family has owned the building that houses the Mayflower since 1980.

Ricky Vaughn did not go into detail with the Banner-Herald about whether or not it had been sold to a new owner. Back in September, he told the Banner-Herald that he was not being forced out of business, but plans were underway to close the restaurant by the end of 2023.

After the Mayflower, the longest-running Athens restaurant is Strickland's, which opened in 1960. The lunch counter at ADD Drug in Five Points opened in 1961, and the Milledge Avenue Taco Stand location has been in operation since 1977.

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This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Mayflower restaurant in downtown Athens closes after 75 years in business