Hamburger Patties To Close Labor Day After 20 Years

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - It's the end of an era for one of Sacramento's famous burger joints, closing up shop after 20 years.

Hamburger Patties in midtown is shutting down after Labor Day, even though customers say it's usually busy.

"Today's my last chance," said one customer.

At the start of one of the last happy hours, Hamburger Patties was filled with familiar faces.

"I've been coming here for years and years," said Mary Bouzard.

Like many other customers, she's bummed over a seemingly sudden shutdown.

Loyal customers, both young and old, are asking "why?"

"It's my favorite and I just wish it wouldn't close down," said Kimora Santos. "I even had my birthday here, and I had a blast."

Since the announcement was made on the company's Facebook page, it spread quickly. So many longtime customers came in for one last meal.

"That's what we're gonna call our meal; tonight is the last meal," said one customer.

So we asked one of the owners -- what gives?

Owner David Mansch says the decision to close the midtown Sacramento fixture was made just recently.

"Friends and everybody's asked me what it is and it's like, 20 years is enough," he said.

Mansch is hesitant to get into specifics, and didn't mention slow sales as a reason. Instead, he says his lease is running out and won't be renewed.

"If you're not gonna get any more time, then you just have to choose to move or move on, and we've decided to move on," said Mansch.

So, a restaurant known as much for its mouth-watering burgers as it is its unusual décor is closing on Labor Day. It's the same day Hamburger Patties opened back in 1994, when it was called Hamburger Mary's.

"I've been in here since this place opened when I was 12 years old," said one employee. "So I have to be here through the end."

It's last call, a chance for one more burger; and for the owners it's a chance to say thanks.

"We're overwhelmed with how everyone's responding. It's just nice we've been able to touch so many people's lives," said Mansch.

The owners say they aren't sure about their next step. However, after they close down Labor Day, they plan to take some time to relax and go on vacation.