'It's surreal:' Grumbellies closes its doors in Fort Ann

Husband and wife duo Jeff and Irma Hamblin opened up Grumbellies at 64 Catherine Street in Fort Ann in June 2016. After eight years at that location, the eatery closed its doors on July 27.

FORT ANN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Husband and wife duo Jeff and Irma Hamblin opened up Grumbellies at 64 Catherine Street in Fort Ann in June 2016. After eight years at that location, the eatery closed its doors on July 27.

They didn't want to close Grumbellies, Irma Hamblin told NEWS10, but they were forced out of the space on Catherine Street. Her husband's aunt, who owned the building, died. While the Hamblins were making an offer to buy the building, another offer was accepted.

The last day was emotional, said Hamblin, with people, Grumbelliens as the Hamblins call them, crying as they left the Fort Ann restaurant for the last time. The restaurant was known for its pizza and calzones, subs, salads, cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, fries, live music and karaoke.

"Our Grumbellies family has inundated us with love and support," said Hamblin. "So many people coming in and saying they just need one more calzone and a hug."

With help from the community, the Hamblins moved all of their Grumbellies equipment out of the space and into storage units. "Some things are out of your control," she said. "We've been trying really hard to find another spot."

Hamblin said there are no available spaces for the restaurant in Fort Ann, so they have expanded their search. The couple lives in Glens Falls, and Hamblin said they don't want to reopen Grumbellies too far away. If all else fails, she said her husband could open up a food truck.

"We just want everybody to know how grateful we are," she said. "It's been beyond unbelievable. It's surreal that Grumbellies is gone."