For nearly seven decades, Jon’s Country Burgers was where Mount Pleasant residents gathered after football games, between college classes, after late shifts and on first dates. The restaurant's lights went out for the last time on Jan. 23, ending a family-run tradition that shaped generations of memories along with its burgers and onion rings.

"It definitely will not be the same visiting Mount Pleasant without that stop," said Katie McGann, a former employee and current manager of Jon's Country Burgers' Facebook page, as the nearly 69-year-old diner permanently closed its doors last week.

Servers and cooks at Jon's Country Burgers drive-in work behind the counter to serve their customers food in Mount Pleasant on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (CM-Life | Claire Vachon)

The family-owned restaurant announced on Jan. 21 that it would be closing due to unforeseen circumstances, and a final Facebook post thanked customers for decades of loyalty and support.

“Thank you for every single person who ever dined in, drove up, introduced a new generation or two, had a first date, got engaged or made us part of your lives in any way,” the restaurant wrote.

The restaurant originally planned to remain open through Saturday, Jan. 24. But on Jan. 23, they ran out of food supplies due to constant service from the community and closed.

“Even after several unplanned trips to the store, we have officially run out of supplies,” Jon’s Country Burgers wrote on its Facebook page. “It is with heavy hearts, but endless gratitude, that we share we have officially closed our doors for the very last time.”

Founded in 1957 by John Spiris, Jon’s Country Burgers became a fixture on South Mission Street and one of Mount Pleasant’s longest-running locally owned restaurants. The diner served generations of Central Michigan University students, local families and visitors seeking burgers, onion rings and shakes.

In 1977, John's son, Jon Spiris, took over the diner.

The servers of Jon's Country Burgers drive-in (from left to right), Zhoie Barke, Paige, Sarah Droster, Laura Lyon, Jessica Morrow and Hannah Polizzi pose for a picture in Mount Pleasant on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (CM-Life | Claire Vachon)

McGann worked at Jon’s from 2003 to 2007 and said the diner’s owner, Jon Spiris, made employees feel like family, a value that carried over to customers.

“It was always a family feel,” McGann said. “Jon is the heart and soul of that restaurant.”

That sense of family was echoed by longtime staff members, including Sarah Droster, a manager at Jon’s who worked at the restaurant for 18 years.

“It’s more than just losing a job for me,” Droster said. “I feel like I’m losing my family.”

Droster said she learned of the closure at the beginning of last week and described the final days as emotional and overwhelming, both for staff and customers.

“The outpouring of customers those last couple days was jaw-dropping,” Droster said.

“We love that we went out with a bang,” she said. “But as a staff, we also feel a little robbed from not even being able to enjoy our last couple days there because it was so stressful.”

Customers of Jon's Country Burgers drive-in sit at their tables to have one last meal before the restaurant closes in Mount Pleasant, on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (CM-Life | Claire Vachon)

Customers flooded social media with memories, highlighting the role Jon’s played in the community for decades.

Joe Terrell, a longtime customer, said Jon’s represented more than food.

“Jon’s has always been a staple to this community,” Terrell said. “Places like Jon’s have the highest quality food and service because they are part of this community.”

Colleen Keyes, another customer, said Jon’s held personal significance.

"I used to go to that diner with so many people from 2007-2023," she said. "But when my husband and I started dating and got serious, the day I proposed to him, I took him there for dinner. It was his choice, he picked Jon’s even though I proposed in Traverse City at a beach, that says a lot about the food there."

Keyes said the closure is not just the loss of a restaurant, but the loss of a gathering place for many.

“It was the best diner in all of Michigan,” she said. “It was a tradition, and now that tradition is gone.”

Despite the closure, Droster said she is not ready to let go of Jon’s legacy.

“I’m not giving up,” Droster said. “I’m very hopeful that someone comes along who wants to buy it and run it as Jon’s. I know the food, I know how it’s cooked, and I’d love to see it live on in some way.”