Downriver residents received sad news on Wednesday when the owner of Allen Park's 51-year-old Sylvia's Sub Shop, Sylvia Bennett, announced the restaurant would be closing its doors for good on Feb. 29.

"It’s with a heavy heart we are sad to announce that Saturday, February 29th Sylvia’s will be closing it’s doors," the Sylvia's Sub Shop Facebook announcement reads. "We would like to thank everyone for all the business and support over the years."

Bennett's son and Sylvia's current manager, Greg Kargenian, was supposed to take over the restaurant, but his plans changed.

“He decided he wanted to do something else,” Bennett told the News-Herald. “But it’s a blend of things. It’s a different era than it used to be 51 years ago. I figured it’s time.”

Many things have changed since Sylvia's Sub Shop opened in 1969.

Bennett told the News-Herald many employees stopped taking lunch breaks and business was hurt by the Fairlane Green and Independence Marketplace shopping centers that opened in Allen Park in the mid-2000s.

“The whole economy has changed,” she told the News-Herald. “People go for coupons, but I don’t have the money to advertise anymore.”

But despite these difficulties, Sylvia's still counts on the support of many loyal customers and employees who have been going to eat at the restaurant for years.

“I’ve seen three and even four generations of customers,” Bennett told the News-Herald. “I have stories about almost all of my customers. I can remember where certain ones sat and what kind of pizza they had.”

More:

Last Johnny Carino's in Michigan closes

Here's where you can catch a fish fry for Lent

Thomas Ouellette, 41, of Dearborn is one of those customers.

Oulette's grandparents lived near Sylvia's Sub Shop, and his father and aunt worked there when they were younger, he said.

He describes Sylvia's as a "staple" in his life, as he grew up visiting the restaurant frequently and now takes his children there to enjoy the food.

"I was very sad to find out (that Sylvia's was closing)," Ouellette said. "I was always worried that they would close one day. I just didn't think it would be so sudden."