Has the news of Toledo's Steak 'N Shake closings got you shook? You're not alone, milkshake sippers. If you need a safe space to express your grief, get yourself to Friday night's candlelight vigil.
If you missed it, the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department ordered two Toledo Steak ‘N Shake locations to be closed, calling them an “immediate threat to public health.” A spokesperson for the health department tells us the stores were ordered closed on Tuesday.
The health department says it will inspect the Steak n Shake locations on Monday. If they pass, they could open as early as Tuesday.
But for now, the stores on Monroe Street and Reynolds Road remain closed, and this spurred an outpouring of local Steak 'N Shake sentiment.
With nearly 600 people expressing interest and 172 saying they're going, the Facebook page for the vigil, to be held near the Monroe Street Steak 'N Shake location, has drawn a variety of comments from sad to sassy to serious.
"I thought this was like the Xmas weed. LOL, Only in Toledo. ..."
"I think all of us knew Steak and Shake was here for a good time and not a long time."
"Will food be provided?"
"I wonder what the three employees they had are going to do for work now."
"It'll be back open in no time! Don't give up on it just yet, Grandma Sammy!!!"
The last post refers to one of the co-organizers, identified as "public figure" Grandma Sammy. The personal blog Wild Toledo is listed as the other co-organizer.
The event description says, "To mourn the memory of our beloved Steak n' Shake, please join us to share your favorite Steak n' Shake memories and light a candle in it's honor.
Don’t like Steak ‘n Shake? Then join us in celebration. Either way there will be cupcakes."
The vigil is set to start at 9 p.m.