After 75 years in business, Skip’s Snack Bar has closed its doors in Merrimac

The neon sign from Skip's Snack Bar in Merrimac is featured in the book "New England Neon."Susan Mara Bregman

Skip’s Snack Bar, a popular hamburger joint in Merrimac, closed its doors Sunday after 75 years in business.

“We understand this is sad news for many, as we will all miss our cheeseburger and hamburger specials,” an Aug. 14 Facebook post said. “Skip’s has had a tremendous following of loyal customers through the years and we thank you! What started in 1947 has grown to welcome thousands of customers. We felt humbled to see people lined up every spring on opening day to get their first burgers & Suzie Q’s of the season. We know many people have their own stories and memories made at Skip’s. We will all miss the tradition and nostalgia of our restaurant and its food. We have enjoyed the camaraderie of our crew and saw the emotion in their faces as we told them of our closing. The restaurant business is challenging but a rewarding experience and we appreciate the hard work of our Skip’s crew and our customers patronage.”

Skip’s was a landmark known for its retro-looking neon sign and for hosting car shows. During the restaurant’s final days, many customers came to have one last meal there, and some shared fond memories on the restaurant’s Facebook page. One compared Skip’s neon sign to the famous Hilltop Steakhouse cactus and orange dinosaur on Route 1 in Saugus.

“Thank you for memories of my 70-plus years, from the very first time I ate a cheeseburger as a toddler in a car to our 51st wedding anniversary this year, and all those wonderful years in between!” another wrote.