ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Sometime on Dec. 24, Aunt Sarah’s Bakery-Deli, a popular eatery on Highway 59 in Robertsdale will serve its last meal.

“It was a hard decision,” said Aunt Sarah’s owner Iris Chandler. The Robertsdale resident opened the first version of the restaurant at the intersection of Route 104 and Highway 59 eight years ago. The restaurant moved to its present location in August of 2006.

But, “I’m retiring,” said Chandler, 66. While she’s a little tired, she added that the recent downturn in the economy, especially with high gas prices last summer, shrank business to the point where she dipped into her own funds to keep the eatery going.

“The summer is normally slow,” said Chandler, “but this summer was worse than ever. We couldn’t catch up.”

While she plans to work after she wraps up the last details of the business, she does not have a position lined up at this time.

“I do want to leave on a positive note,” said Chandler. “It’s been a wonderful eight years, and it has all been well worth it. I hope to proceed as normal until the 24th.”

The news shocked Bonnie Balabon, a private-duty nurse who says she started coming to Aunt Sarah’s “about three years ago” to take some breakfast and use the shop’s wi-fi system to get medical updates so she can “keep current” for her license. She also uses the connection to “e-mail my family.”

“The people here have been very kind to me,” Balabon said who added that she has to find another wi-fi hot spot “right away.”

The restaurant has been home to several groups that meet weekly or monthly, such as a local Red Hat group, a ladies Bible study group on Monday nights, and the Business Network International group that comes Tuesday mornings. They and other groups come for the good coffee, tasty food and fellowship in a clean, centrally-located and attractive location.

The bakery-deli has also been the site of several small wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners.

Chandler has a large collection of teapots, which are on display throughout Aunt Sarah’s.

The store employs 11 full and part time employees said Chandler.

Their fate weighed on her mind.

“These are people I care about,” said Chandler. “They are losing their jobs at a time when it is not easy to get a job.”

She says she told her employees about the closure a few weeks ago and made the announcement to her customers “last week.” She’s been gratified that most of her employees who are able to have chosen to stick with the restaurant right up to closing day.

“We have had customers cry when they heard the news,” Chandler said.

Chandler says she’s been cooking since she was five years old.

“My earliest memory is pushing my Dad’s tackle box to the stove,” Chandler said.

While a good cook, Chandler chose to use her skills in finance, working in the operations department of an appliance manufacturer.

Some of Aunt Sarah’s recipes will live on.

Chandler is publishing an “Aunt Sarah’s Cookbook,” a phamplet that will be available for sale at the restaurant. Devotees of the restaurant’s food will be glad t oknow that Chandler is including the recipe for the popular “chicken poppy seed casserole,” that has tantalized area taste buds for years among other local favorites.

And there is time to say good-bye.

“The week of Christmas, people should come by for a free cookie, coffee or tea and to say farewell,” Chandler said.