GREENCASTLE-ANTRIM – Mrs. Gibbles Restaurant and Candies will be closing their doors on April 26 after serving tasty treats and meals to the community and travelers since 1976.
The family-owned business began with namesake Mary Gibble, who started her culinary journey around the year 1929, when she began making candy as a teenager, according to the restaurant website. Mary would take her delicious chocolate treats to the local farm market, which opened the door to a successful career and eventually lead to a family business built on the standards and practices that Mary had set so many years before.
In 1977, Arlene and George Gibble opened Mrs. Gibbles Restaurant and Candies in Greencastle-Antrim and began to serve the community homemade meals in addition to their popular deserts and candies. Much like their predecessor Mary, they began by selling their home-cooked meals at the local farm market. As their popularity grew, the couple knew they would have to upgrade to meet the high demand.
Mrs. Gibbles would become a staple in the Franklin County community and a popular dinnertime stop for travelers passing by on I-81 and Route 11. The menu, which focuses primarily on American style diner cuisine includes choices like beef brisket, chopped beefsteak, pulled pork and ribs, hamloaf, pork tenderloin, crab cakes, roast turkey and stuffing and a variety of soups and salads. But the most popular items on their menu are their famous fried chicken and their endless corn fritters.
After enjoying a delicious meal, patrons would make their way to the candy store where they would find seemingly endless options of handmade candies in every shape and size often highlighted by Peter’s Chocolate, the chocolate company that Mary started using back in the early 1940’s and is now part of Nestle’s chocolates.
The announced closing of the restaurant, which was posted on their Facebook page on Monday March 30, has received more than 1,000 responses from community members who all shared a common emotion, sadness.
But it was also a moment for many to reflect back on the many years of community bonding. Several comments posted from former employees and customers over the years shared stories of happy times and never forgotten memories.
The restaurant and candy store will remain open until April 26. Mrs. Gibbles is located at 7325 Molly Pitcher Highway. Their normal hours are Thursday-Saturday, 4- 8 p.m. and on Sundays 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
