Damn crying shame Atlanta! My father loves the Varsity; I love the Varsity; my kids love the Varsity; & thank goodness, my grandkids love the Varsity.

Joe Bailey, 65, who has worked for the Varsity for 40 years, serves up a order on the last day of business for the Varsity Jr. in Atlanta on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010. Bailey, who will continue to work for the Varsity at other locations, said "historically this had been the busiest day I have ever seen. I don't want this place to close." (Photos and text from the ajc.)

From the 8-6-10 issue of the ajc entitled "Lindbergh Varsity Jr. shutting down after 45 years":

A zoning dispute with the city led to Friday's announcement, which stunned employees and customers alike. The restaurant, at Lindbergh and Cheshire Bridge Road, will close Aug. 23 . . . .

Varsity Vice-President John Browne called the decision to close the 45-year-old Lindbergh diner "absolutely one of the toughest we ever made." A makeover had been planned for years, but the Varsity and the City of Atlanta clashed over how many driveways in and out of the restaurant would be allowed. Currently there's three, but the city would approve only one for a rezoned Varsity Jr.

"From a traffic flow perspective, it makes it very difficult," Browne said.

City of Atlanta Planning Director Charletta Wilson-Jacks told 11 Alive that new municipal regulations limit the number and size of driveways from the street.