Quaker Steak and Lube closes Mentor location

William Tilton, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
·2 min read

Nov. 14—According to a flyer posted on the front door of Quaker Steak and Lube on Reynolds Road in Mentor, management has decided to close the restaurant.

The flyer states:

"We are closed. We would like to thank our guests and staff for supporting our Mentor, OH restaurant. At this time, we have made the unfortunate decision to close this location. We encourage you to visit one of our other Cleveland area restaurants."

The three options listed on the flyer include locations in Medina Township, Sheffield Village and Valley View.

Russell Berner, executive vice president/partner of QSL Holdings, was not as definitive when contacted about the future of the Quaker Steak and Lube location in Mentor.

"The location is closed temporally for consideration of remodeling and/or rebranding," Berner said. "It may reopen in the future with no definitive plan or date determined. We thank all our loyal guests and employees that have been vital to the Quaker Steak and Lube for almost 15 years. We hope to see them at our Valley View or other regional locations in the region."

The restaurant and the parking lot at 7834 Reynolds Road take up a significant piece of land on the busy Mentor corridor, making it prime real estate if Quaker Steak and Lube does not return, according to Kevin Malecek, director of economic development for Mentor.

"The State Route 306/Reynolds Road corridor continues to be a highly sought after and desirable spot for national and regional retailers and restaurants," Malecek said. "The city looks forward to learning more about Quaker State's eventual plans for the property and stands ready to lend support."

According to the restaurant's Wikipedia page, on Nov. 16, 2015, immediately after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company was acquired by TravelCenters of America, which planned to expand the chain both in its chain of truck stops as well as in standalone locations. JDK Management purchased Quaker Steak & Lube from TravelCenters for $5 million in early 2021.

According to the thelube.com, George "Jig" Warren III and Gary "Moe" Meszaros founded Quaker Steak and Lube in 1974.