FLINT, MI – A longstanding Flint restaurant dishing up Coney dogs and burgers has closed on the city’s east side.

Owner Tim Stanek confirmed Friday afternoon, Dec. 28, that Angelo’s Coney Island at the corner of Davison Road and Franklin Avenue closed this week.

“We thought we would be OK and help the community and keep the tradition alive there,” he said. “It was more important to keep Angelo’s open and the employees employed.”

Tim and wife Paula Stanek, who also own Chilly’s Bar on Davison Road, took out a lease with option to purchase the building in November 2017.

“We put a ton into it. We maxed out our credit cards and took our savings,” said Tim Stanek. “We really took pride in it.”

Melanie Plocher was in her second stint at the restaurant, having worked there since June after moving back to the Flint area.

“That’s part of history that people didn’t want to support,” said Plocher, a former east side resident who now lives in Burton. “I had a little old lady that came in almost every night. I drove to her work to tell her we closed.”

She called the owners “amazing people and they tried their hardest to stay open.”

“I’m just really sad it’s not open. I heard so many great stories,” commented Plocher. “I appreciate everything Tim and Paula did to try and save history.”

Tim Stanek called it a “sad day” for tradition. He said the neighborhood has taken hits in recent years with the closure of Kroger -- that has since reopened as the Fresh Choice Market Place grocery store -- and Rite-Aid.

“It’s a trickle-down. It really does effect everybody,” said Tim Stanek. “It’s sad what’s happening to the east side. It’s getting worse. It’s not getting better. If something doesn’t happen soon, we certainly won’t be the last (business to close) over there.”

Stanek said the 12 remaining employees at the restaurant -- after a third shift was previously ended -- will have the opportunity to transfer to the Angelo’s Coney Island location off US-23 and Grand Blanc Road in Mundy Township after he spoke with the management there.

“She took them with open arms and we are thankful for that,” said Tim Stanek.

Anyone with remaining gift certificates for the Flint Angelo’s Coney Island location can use them at the Mundy Township site, he said.