Monday night was last call for that giant five scoop peanut butter cup Sundae or that yummy fribble shake. It was light’s out for the next to the last Friendly’s Restaurant in Monmouth and Ocean County. The Friendly’s restaurant on Rt 37 in Toms River suddenly closed their doors Monday night. Now, if you want to experience the “friendly” atmosphere of lunch or dinner at Friendly’s you will need to do so at the last one open in Monmouth and Ocean County on Hooper Ave.

It’s clear from looking in the store that employees did not have advanced notice of the closure since they were decorating for Christmas. Peering in the window of a closed favorite restaurant and seeing a lonely Christmas tree standing there is heartbreaking.

Friendly’s is just another of many restaurants who have been in serious financial dilemma since the pandemic struck. Friendly’s filed for bankruptcy protection several times, most recently in 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic while they were trying to keep the restaurants floating financially.

Before it’s gone go out and enjoy a burger and save room for ice cream at Friendly’s this weekend. Life’s short eat dessert first!!