Farmers Restaurant Inc., a longtime Eastern Market staple, has closed following the sale of its building to landlord Sanford Nelson.

Nelson told Crain's on Wednesday morning that he finalized the purchase of four buildings in the city's food district on Tuesday for an undisclosed price. He said he plans renovations of all four properties.

He said he had asked the owners of Farmers Restaurant to stay open.

"I have been dining there for a while. But they wanted to close. We tried to talk them into staying on through renovations, but they just weren't interested. They wanted to retire," said Nelson, son of serial entrepreneur Linden Nelson.

Jimmy Fermanis, son of owner Gavrill Fermanis, declined comment Wednesday morning.

"We have no comment. The owners have retired."

A sign in the restaurant window says: "Thank you Detroit & Eastern Market for the many wonderful years of business. We have retired! God bless everyone!"