San Bernardino’s Marie Callender’s closes

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San Bernardino residents: If you’re craving some of Marie Callender’s delicious cornbread, or a pot pie or just a slice of apple pie, you’ll have to leave town to get it.

Marie Callender’s long-running restaurant on Highland Avenue has closed.

Columnist John Weeks noticed the other day that the sign had been covered by a tarp, so I went by to investigate.

Sure enough, the parking lot was deserted and there was a note near the front door informing of the closure.

The note reads: “We are closed for remodeling. International Sports Bar will be coming soon. Sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you to all the customers.”

International Sports Bar? Gee, now that sounds like a fun place.

Of course, in this economy, a restaurant closing is no big surprise.

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This particular restaurant seemed to slowly go downhill. The operating hours kept dwindling until they were only open until 8 p.m.

The last time I was there, only one of the three dining room sections was open and the place was just kind of…worn out.

The salad bar had lost its appeal.

And when was the last time you went there? Did you only go there on St. Patrick’s Day for some corned beef and cabbage? Oh, so you’re the one to blame.

As I left the former Marie Callender’s and drove past the Mexico Caf, I noticed the parking lot was packed.

The mind boggles.

If you want to get your Marie Callender’s fix, you can head on over to the Redlands location at 1625 Industrial Park Ave., or the somewhat-recently remodeled and expanded restaurant in Riverside at 3505 Merrill St.

Other Inland Empire locations include Ontario, Victorville, Corona, Chino, Claremont, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and Temecula.