A longtime downtown Topeka establishment has closed its doors for the last time.

Terry’s Bar and Grill closed effective Wednesday night, according to a Facebook post by the business.

The bar had opened in 1976, when Terry and Val Walker took over the former Ginza Club at 522 S.W. 6th Ave.

The Walkers continued to operate the establishment as a private club until 1992, when ownership remodeled and added a kitchen, renaming it Terry's Bar and Grill.

Terry's over the years has weathered a 1985 increase in the Kansas drinking age, a citywide smoking ban imposed in 2009, a recession in the 1970s and even a fire in 1983.

More: Test of time: Terry's is 'where everyone knows each other'

'Time to explore new opportunities'

"My friends have stuck with me,” Terry Walker had told The Capital-Journal in 2014. “But I’ve had to do a lot on my own. Having good help has also been key.”

Terry's, over the years, developed a family-friendly atmosphere with the help of loyal staff and customers, including several past staffers of The Capital-Journal.

The Walkers' put a post Wednesday evening on the Terry's Facebook page thanking Topekans for their patronage over the past 47 years.

“Throughout the years the business has welcomed many customers and staff who have evolved into a family," it read. "We are very grateful for all the people that have come into our lives and supported us over the years. Although we are very sad about the ending, it is time to explore new opportunities and spend more time with family."

'Where everybody knows your name'

A 2011 Capital-Journal culinary review of Terry's touted it as being a place where "everybody knows your name," which was the same description given to the Boston bar featured in the 1980s TV sitcom, "Cheers."

"What I like best about Terry’s is the mix of folks who patronize it," said the reviewer, whose name was kept a mystery. "You can spot local judges, county commissioners and folks in jeans or other casual clothing. Terry’s isn’t a swanky place, but that’s okay. It is a place to relax and have fun."

Terry's was particularly popular among public servants.

"Terry's was one of those comfortable neighborhood community gathering spots," said Mayor Mike Padilla. "Old friends, new friends, business conversations, political neutral zone where anybody could have conversation in a relaxed, casual atmosphere."

Terry's was her "favorite spot," said Topeka City Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz.

"I took all my lunch meetings there," she said.

Ortiz, who's been on the council since 2005, said she had her "own special booth" at Terry's.

She said she's held her campaign watch parties at Terry's on four of the five evenings she's won election and re-election to her council seat, in 2005, 2009, 2017 and 2021.

The only election night she didn't hold a watch party at Terry's was in 2013, when she ran unopposed, Ortiz said.

"I will miss them," she said.

'Topeka won't seem the same'

State employee Diane Jenkins posted one of the 240 comments that could be found Friday morning beneath the announcement of the closing made on the Terry's Facebook page.

"Where are we state employees supposed to have our retirement parties?" she wrote. "You only needed to hang in there another year and a half for me LOL."

"Congratulations on a great run!" Jim Turgeon wrote on the Terry's Facebook page. "Topeka won't seem the same."

The Capital-Journal's Tim Hrenchir contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Terry's Bar and Grill closes after 47 years in downtown Topeka