Mattydale, N.Y. -- After decades of serving up juicy burgers with its nostalgic, build-your-own toppings bar, Zebb's Deluxe Grill & Bar in Mattydale is days away from flipping its last patty.

Chris Damick, who bought the last remaining Zebb's in the old Kmart Plaza two years ago, told his employees Friday night that the restaurant would close for good next Sunday, Oct. 13.

"So many memories have been made here over the years," Damick said Saturday morning before opening. "But the last year has not been easy. We tried to make it work, but we just couldn't. It was a very tough decision to make."

Known for its retro charm, fresh-cut fries and oversized milkshakes, the restaurant had long been a favorite for locals craving a taste of classic Americana.

For many, Zebb's was more than just a place to eat -- it was a time capsule of eye-catching checkered floors and old-time movie posters under neon lights.

Richard Zdyb opened Zebb's back in the late 1980s. At one time, the local chain had two restaurants in Rochester and one in New Hartford. Zdyb sold it to Brian Bergeron in 2006. As the business fell off, Damick took over in 2022.

The Mattydale location is the lone survivor, despite it being hidden in the back of a mostly-deserted shopping plaza. A year ago, Damick said business seemed to pick up for the first time since the Covid pandemic. He had hoped an entrepreneur would scoop up what's now known as the Mattydale Shopping Center.

That never happened, illustrated by the parking lot that's dotted with deep potholes.

Just as business seemed to improved, it disappeared when constant construction consumed nearby Interstate 81.

"It just made coming here too difficult for people," Damick said. "People just assumed we had closed down long ago."

Despite the appearance, employees spent this morning pounding out fries from the large potatoes and baking the house-made cookies that customers over the years finished their meals with.

In the hours since notifying his 30-plus employees, most have already found jobs in other area restaurants.

"I just hope we can make it through to next Sunday," he said. "If you do pull up and we're closed, that just means we didn't have enough employees to make it. But I'm hoping we will be able to give the longtime customers one last chance to say goodbye to this place."