Balyeat’s Coffee Shop closing for 2nd time

Van Wert independent staff

For the second time in eight months, historic Balyeat’s Coffee Shop in downtown Van Wert is for sale.

Owner Anita Miller confirmed by phone Monday afternoon that Balyeat’s is closed, and is on the market.

She cited “a number of factors” as the reason for the closure, but didn’t elaborate on what those factors were.

Miller purchased the restaurant last November, at a cost of just over $70,000, at a public auction conducted by Straley Realty & Auctioneers.

The sale to Miller was the first for the restaurant, begun in 1922, in 41 years — since longtime owner Dale Davies purchased Balyeat’s from Don Balyeat in 1964. Davies, his wife, Marsha, and brother Don operated the restaurant until he decided to retire and put the restaurant up for sale last year.

When no outright buyers came forth, the restaurant was sold “lock, stock, and barrel,” on the auction block.

Although initially enthusiastic about plans for the restaurant, Miller had trouble maintaining the food quality of the landmark local restaurant, and customers began to dwindle.

In mid-June, Balyeat’s shortened its hours, effectively cutting out dinner. Earlier this month, a sign at Balyeat’s read “closed for family vacation”. In recent days, it was changed simply to “closed”.

Now for the second time in a year, area residents are wondering where they will get their “beef and noodles on mashed”, as well as the salisbury steak, roast beef, homemade pies, and the many other menu staples developed over the years at Balyeat’s.