craigdailypress.com

Randy Knoche has gathered with friends every morning at the Golden Cavvy for the past ten years.

"We have a bunch of us that don't sleep very well who go down there and drink coffee and solve the world's problems," Knoche said.

But Knoche and his buddies have been left looking for a new place to meet, as the Golden Cavvy Restaurant and Lounge closed its doors Tuesday after more than 50 years in business.

An abrupt close with little forewarning, there is speculation the restaurant closed for financial reasons.

"The Cavvy's an institution. It's been there forever and a lot of people go down there," Knoche said. "Hunter's will be pissed."

Randy Looper, of the Craig Rotary Club, said the club met as they usually do on Tuesday mornings at the Cavvy and were shocked to find it was closing.

Looper said he was told they had the next hour to take their things out of the building.

"We're scrambling to find a new place," Looper said.

Knoche and his friends will meet at The Cool Water Grille tomorrow morning, but it just won't be the same.

"We kind of had a rule down there. What's said at the Cavvy, stays at the Cavvy," Knoche said.

And as a historic and integral piece of Craig, the closing of the Cavvy brings sadness for some.

"It's pretty sad. It has been there a long time and it does draw a lot of people down there," Knoche said.

Owner Charlotte Gariner, who purchased the establishment in 2009 with her husband, Glen, couldn't be reached for comment, and it is unknown whether the closure is permanent or temporary.

Visit www.craigdailypress.com for continued coverage of this story as more details become available.

Darian Warden can be reached at 875-1793 or dwarden@craigdailypress.com