COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A spokesperson for the franchising company of the Coldwater Ponderosa Steakhouse says the closure of the Michigan restaurants Friday was due to “matters with the local owner and landlord” and that the restaurants will reopen to the public as soon as those matters are resolved.
Taylor Ruotsala did not go into further details but he said they value their employees and local customers. He added they were looking forward to reopening their doors.
The Ponderosa Steakhouse located at 411 East Chicago Street closed and the doors were locked after the end of business on Friday. Ruotsala’s statement about reopening in the future was contrary to a sign which was posted at the restaurant.
The sign said, “To Our Valued Customers: We are sad to report that we have permanently closed this location. Thank you for your patronage through the years.”
Ponderosa’s corporate website lists 62 restaurants across the country; in addition to Coldwater, other Michigan locations are Bay City, Cadillac, Clare, Dearborn Heights, Gaylord, Ludington, Mount Pleasant, Owosso, and West Branch. Some of those locations, but not all, also closed Friday night.