Fayetteville staple Gino’s Cheese Steak & Onion is closing its doors today, surprising loyal locals. The closure was announced on July 13 via social media. The heartfelt message shares the reason for the closure and invites locals to one final celebration.
Highlights
- Gino’s Cheese Steak & Onion to close on Monday, July 14, 2025.
- The owner shares the news via social media, along with the reason for closures.
- The post invites locals to the last dinner and a wedding.
Gino’s Cheese Steak & Onion Announces Abrupt Closure
Gino’s Cheese Steak & Onion, a beloved sandwich spot in Fayetteville, is preparing to close after five years in business. News of the sudden closure comes via social media. In the post, the owner shares the struggles of the last few months that led to the closure. After five years of serving the community, this news comes as a surprise.
Over the past five years, Gino’s has offered more than just cheesesteaks; it’s been a hub for community stories and laughter. While the restaurant is closing, Amidon hinted that the stories may return in some form down the line.
Alongside the closure, the owners also announced they’re tying the knot. The wedding of co-owners and partners Josh and Joe. The couple had planned a fall wedding at the restaurant, but the closure fast-tracked their timeline. Now, the two are inviting locals for a grand celebration that will mark the end of this beautiful journey.
Reason for Closure
Amidon also explained the reason behind the unexpected closure. The owner explains that it is not because of the economy or the falling popularity of cheesesteaks. The landlord chose not to renew the lease.
“It’s not because of the economy, or slow sales, or because people suddenly lost their appetite for cheesesteaks,” writes Josh. “It comes down to something a lot simpler: our landlord chose not to renew our lease.”
For months, the owners and the landlord have been in talks. Right when they felt that they had the deal, the owner left them shocked. Just three days before the lease expired, the landlord informed them it wouldn’t be renewed. No further explanation was given in this regard.
“We’d been in talks for months. It always felt like we were right on the edge of getting a new deal done,” he continues. “It dragged closer and closer to our lease’s end date, but I was assured it was basically a formality. Then, just three days before the lease ran out, I got word: the landlord decided not to move forward. No explanation.”
He is assured that it was nothing personal, just that a better deal came along the way. But that doesn’t stop the bitterness. However, he wished more time had been given to make the transition. Now, everything in the restaurant is getting packed and squeezed into two storage units.
With the closure imminent, Amidon says he’s unsure of his next move. While he assures everyone that the stories will continue, he needs time to figure out what comes next. The possibilities are many: new location, concept, or partnership. Anything can come his way right now, and all he needs is time to figure it all out.
An Invitation to a Wedding
This post isn’t just a goodbye message; it is also an invitation to a wedding. On Monday, July 14, Josh will be getting married to his restaurant co-owner Joe. After 16 years of being together, the two had planned their wedding for the Fall this year. They had planned to host the wedding inside the restaurant. But with the sudden closure, the plans have changed, and they are keeping their final memory of this place no matter what.
“We had planned to get married this fall, right here at the restaurant. When that suddenly wasn’t in the cards anymore, we decided to fast-track it.”
On the last day of the restaurant, July 14, the two are getting married. To celebrate this last grand event, they’ve invited everyone. From 5 pm to 8 pm, the restaurant is open for all those who wish to attend this celebration.
Guests can enjoy free food, drinks, and a night of fun as the couple says ‘I do.’ This will also help them clear out the coolers. They also highlight no gifts for the celebrations. Instead, a jar will be set where anyone can toss in a cash donation. This will later be split among the staff to help them through this change.
Though the closure is bittersweet, the owners are focused on celebrating their journey. But they are trying to make this as easy and fun as possible for everyone. Locals are invited to share one final evening with the couple, enjoy a farewell meal, and celebrate the stories built at Gino’s.
