Shari’s Cafe & Pies in Pendleton is open for one of its final days Oct. 16, 2024. The restaurant closed Oct. 17 at 10 p.m., resulting in 20 employees losing their jobs.

PENDLETON — Shari’s Cafe & Pies in Pendleton is shutting down.

The family-style restaurant at 319 SE Nye Ave. will permanently close Thursday, Oct. 17, at 10 p.m., resulting in 20 employees losing their jobs.

Shari’s will begin hauling boxes and equipment into moving vans the morning of Oct. 18.

This is the second chain restaurant closing in Pendleton within a week. Denny’s closed Monday, Oct. 14, resulting in 25 layoffs.

Shari’s is known for award-winning pies and comfort meals. The first Shari’s restaurant opened in 1978 in Hermiston.

Gail Yi is the manager of the Hermiston Shari’s Cafe & Pies. She said upper management told her the restaurant is open and up and running.

“I have not heard anything otherwise, but it’s not looking good either,” Yi said.

According to the company’s website, the Beaverton-based chain has 95 locations across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Wyoming and Nebraska, but the number of store locations has shrunk due to closures.

Restaurant Business Magazine reported in August the chain has dwindled to 60 restaurants.

The Wyoming News Now in early October reported the Cheyenne location closed amid financial issues.

KGW8 in Portland reported in September the dining chain is facing allegations of unpaid rent and taxes, as well as eviction notices. At least seven restaurants have closed unexpectedly in Idaho and Washington during the past few months and the company faces numerous lawsuits, mostly in various state courts.

Other Northwest newspapers have reported on Shari’s closures.

The Lewiston Tribune reported in May that Shari’s closed in Lewiston, Idaho.

In July, the East Idaho News reported the Idaho Falls location closed, and in Washington the Tacoma News Tribune reported Shari’s closed its last Tacoma location.

And the Moscow-Pullman Daily News in August reported the Moscow location was closing.

The Pendleton Shari’s Cafe & Pies is at 319 SE Nye Ave. and will operate for the last time Oct. 17 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.