Since opening Fremont Diner in a former Highway 21 burger shack in 2009, Chad Harris has earned a loyal following of both Wine Country locals and tourists alike with the restaurant’s folksy decor and high-quality ranch-style grub.

However, this week, Harris sent shockwaves through the Bay Area as news trickled out that he has suddenly closed the Fremont Diner — one of the most popular restaurants in Wine Country.

According to a press release, Harris said that closing the Fremont Diner is a “truly a lifestyle choice at this point.” However, the silver lining for its legions of fans may be that Harris and his wife, Erika, own the property where the diner is located, and they have plans for “ another reimagined food concept by the same team.” In an Instagram post, the restaurant added that the space will reopen with a new concept.

For his part, Harris said the closure is a “chance to create something fresh and new for our community; we’re not done quite yet, so please stay tuned.”

There may be ever more in the works. Last year, the Sonoma Index-Tribune reported that Harris would be taking over a 56-year-old gas station at 866 Broadway, on the southern end of the city, and converting it into a family-friendly restaurant and nanobrewery.

In a 2012 Chronicle article, Harris recounted how serendipitous his taking over the space was — his mother, who lived in Glen Ellen at the time, spotted the ancient shack and told him to check it out; the landlord gave him 6 months to fix-up the space DIY-style.

“We are so grateful to all of those people and purveyors who supported us over the years,” said Harris in his statement about the closure. “We put our hearts and souls into every part of this place.”

Sarah Fritsche is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sfritsche@sfchronicle.com Twitter/Instagram: @foodcentric