AN iconic restaurant in Florida has closed its doors for good since it opened and hosted stars in 1941.
The elegant Ta-boo bar on Worth Avenue permanently closed its doors on May 29.
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An abrupt announcement was made on Saturday morning on Facebook.
The post read: "It’s with a heavy heart that we have to announce TaBoo Palm Beach will be closing on May 29th… after over 80 years of service to our community."
A farewell bash was held at the bar on Sunday evening for the public to attend.
Owner Franklyn DeMarco told CBS12 that the restaurant's 31-year lease expired in September 2021.
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Since then, it has been operating on lease extensions.
Despite DeMarco's best efforts, Ta-boo was handed an eviction notice in March.
According to Fox 29, the eviction notice was given by the new owner of the building.
A representative for the owner claimed that the bar's lease ran out at the end of April 2022 and the rent has not been paid since.
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DeMarco hit back at the rent claims, stating: "The rent was never an issue, which we offered to pay if we were offered a long-term lease.
"They were not interested in that. They have other ideas for the property.
"They're going to do something that's going to be different and we're all going to see how that works out."
Loyal fans have been left devastated by the news of the closure, with one calling it a "historical landmark."
In replies to the Facebook announcement, one commenter wrote: "Palm Beach and Worth Avenue will never be the same."
Another fan said: "It’s heartbreaking. Hope they don’t ruin the Avenue further. They were considering metered parking - classless.
"This is just a terrible omen now that Ta-Boo is gone. End of an era. A classy era."
Another added: "Sad to say goodbye to the last of the great lunch and happy hour meeting places.
"Taboo is Worth Ave and will be greatly missed."
"This is really quite sad! 80 years makes it a historical landmark! We’ll really miss it," another wrote.
In a post from March, Ta-boo posted a picture of Ethel Merman and Eddy Duchin at a piano at the restaurant.
The picture said: "Ethel Merman and Eddy Duchin in an impromptu performance one night in the 1940s at Ta-boo. Historical Society Of Palm Beach County."
The caption added by the restaurant said: "The oldest restaurant on Worth Avenue."
Other famous guests include Frank Sinatra and former President John F. Kennedy.
DeMarco said: "Ta-boo has got an 82-year history, a lot of history in Palm Beach, a lot of locals.
"The last 30 years have been fulfilling for me. I've enjoyed being in charge of this fabulous establishment and, more importantly, we have an employee group of 75 people who make it happen.
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"It's one of a kind. There's nothing like it in Palm Beach and there may never be anything like it in Palm Beach."
It has been reported that there are plans in place to replace the iconic bar with another restaurant.
