CASTLE SHANNON, Pa. — The Linden Grove in Castle Shannon had been around since 1872. On Saturday night, it officially closed its doors. There was a wooden sign that had the restaurant and bar’s name on it. It stood outside of the business until Sunday night, when police say a woman stole it for sentimental purposes.
Lt. Brian McKeown with the Castle Shannon Police Department said, “I think it’s just a matter of she felt like the business was closed – her words – and they didn’t need the sign anymore, so she felt that it meant something to her, so she would take it. “
Lt. Brian McKeown is talking about what 42-year-old Shannon Collins told police after she confessed to taking the iconic Linden Grove sign.
She’s not alone. Saturday night, the restaurant and nightclub held its final hurrah to a packed house full of those who have loved the 153-year-old business.
Linden Grove’s owner says closing the iconic spot wasn’t an easy decision. He says COVID and its repercussions changed everything. He says while Saturday nights still brought a crowd in, it wasn’t enough to stay open and he encouraged everyone to gather there one last time.
“The 26th was the last night that the business was open to the public and it was fairly well-advertised, so a lot of people knew it was the last night and it was very busy and I assume that’s why the theft occurred the next day,” McKeown added.
I danced at the Grove when in High School. Boy was it jammed and hot as hell on a Summer night. Any other classmates dance there? Let me know. Dennis