After 51 years of greeting customers with a smile and an extensive menu, Roll ‘N Rye will be closing its doors for good on Sunday, Sept. 14. Owner Rita Zide announced that she will no longer operate the long-time Culver City establishment and will retire along with the business.
“It was one of the most difficult decisions that I have ever made; I love this place,” Zide said. “I love Culver City, I love the customers and my employees but at some point this business is very demanding, even though these were some of the best times of my life.”
Zide’s father opened the doors to the original restaurant, where she worked as a cashier. Zide would buy the establishment from her father 35 years ago and has been in charge ever since.
With her retirement, the location has been sold to Panera Bread, who will move into its new establishment as soon as some significant renovations are completed.
“There have been a lot of wonderful people that have been coming in and we have been very busy,” Zide said. “It has been an institution for many, many years so an era is kind of closing. A lot of customers have been coming for many years, third and fourth generations, and they are very sad.”
Roll ‘N Rye is located at 10990 Jefferson Blvd. in Culver City and Zide has indicated that they will try to stay open until 4 p.m. on Sunday.
“I have been here 51 years and we are closing even though I love the community, the customers and the employees,” Zide said. “But I want to relax and enjoy myself.”
