GREAT FALLS — The Golden Corral restaurant in Great Falls has closed its doors permanently.
The buffet-style restaurant is located in the Great Falls Marketplace on the southwest side of town.
A sign on the door addressed to "Valued Guests" says: "We are deeply saddened to say that we are permanently closing as of 8/24/2020. Thank you so much for your patronage through our 19 years here. We were truly blessed to serve you."
No explanation for the closure was given, although a man at the restaurant who identified himself as a newly-hired manager confirmed that the COVID-19 situation was a factor.
Golden Corral was well-known for serving free meals to veterans every November on Veterans Day.
The restaurant also got an on-air shout-out from talk show host (and part-time Teton County resident) David Letterman on "The Late Show" after the building was damaged in a fire several years ago.
We will update you if we get more information.
In related news - another restaurant in the Marketplace is just days away from opening: Hokkaido Ramen & Sushi Bar. It is nearly complete in the space formerly occupied by Pizza Hut, right next to Cold Stone Creamery. Hokkaido began renovating the space in mid-January, and the 3,774-square foot restaurant will feature quick-service, take-out, and dine in options. They had initially planned to open in mid-July, but now say they plan to open within the next two weeks.
