Batavia Golden Corral closes suddenly

While addressing the annual Chamber of Commerce breakfast in 2011, Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke was finally correct about the Golden Corral Restaurant: He said it was going to open soon. He had also said it the previous four years, but the building remained empty.

In early 2012, the eatery opened at 2030 W. Main St.

But enjoying the all-you-can-eat buffet has proved short-lived, as the restaurant closed Sunday afternoon. Schielke said it is due to the 2014 death of the franchise owner, Sam Gibson.

Another Golden Corral Gibson owned in Indiana has also closed, he said.

Kane County records indicate that two foreclosure actions were filed against the restaurant ownership in April and May this year.

Batavia police said they were called to the restaurant Sunday when employees became angry upon learning the restaurant was closing and they might not get paid.

The building shell was completed in 2010. It was built by a developer, who was supposed to then turn it over to the national Golden Corral company. Golden Corral would then find a franchisee to operate it. But the property was tied up in a foreclosure suit against the developer, and Gibson was delayed when a bank from which he was seeking financing was closed by the FDIC.

City Administrator Bill McGrath said the restaurant still owes the city about $5,000 for utility bills, and it has been slow in paying its bills for about a year.