Come June 30, there will be no more one-pound pork chops.

Same goes for the peas-and-peanut salad.

This summer Mount Pleasant residents – and CMU – will say goodbye to The Embers, the family-owned restaurant and banquet hall that has been a fixture on Mission Street for almost 50 years.

Clarence Tuma opened the restaurant that boasts the “famous one-pound pork chops and peas-and-peanut salad” in 1958. Son and Mount Pleasant resident Jeff Tuma took over in 1987. The city landmark is set to close June 30.

Jeff Tuma said for a Monday story that closing The Embers would take “a big hunk out of a lot of people’s lives.”

He’s right.

The Embers has been so much more than just a place to enjoy some fine dining the past 49 years.

As a banquet hall, it has hosted countless wedding and anniversary receptions and birthday parties.

For years, The Embers has hosted a weekly luncheon for the CMU football team. Athletics boosters and alumni would gather to hear the football coach talk about the big win – or disappointing loss – every Tuesday during football season.

Even we at Central Michigan Life owe something to The Embers. The restaurant hosts our annual awards banquet every year. And believe us – the pork chops are excellent.

We want to extend our utmost thanks to the Tuma family for putting up with us year after year. You’ve been great hosts.

Good luck in all your future endeavors.

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