By Christopher Johnson
After serving the Mount Pleasant community for nearly a century, it is with a heavy heart that Jon’s Country Burgers has announced an end to 69 years of service.
On the diner’s Facebook, last Wednesday’s announcement reads, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Jon’s will be closing its doors on Saturday, January 24th.”
The news came as a surprise, which spread like wildfire across local social media groups. Some drove down from as far as Petoskey to pay their respects and place one last order. Others ventured north from the Detroit area for one last meal.
The decision was a made in the best interest of the Spiris family. Who has been navigating a stressful series of personal events, and felt it was time to say goodbye.
During its last week, the iconic drive-in diner brought in more sales than ever. Hitting record numbers over its last couple days. The shortages were numerous, with deep-fried food taking the hardest hits. Additionally, they were running out of fish on Thursday, beef on Friday, and even more burger on Saturday. Its final tickets required substitution of food items with whatever was available.
Over the course of time, much of the landscape surrounding the diner has changed. The team witnessed the takedown of Chippewa Lanes. The construction of Panda Express and Taichi Bubble Tea, and the evolution of college life from where it shares a border with CMU.
Amidst these changes, however, much of what defined Jon’s has remained relatively the same.
Until the last transaction, the kitchen still operated a punch computer. Orders were wrote and hung up. The only adaptation to modern times involved how credit cards were handled. Otherwise, the experience of working at Jon’s Country Burgers has remained a steady vibe, and one of the last of its kind. Even the drive-in speakers outside were still an active part of the experience in 2026. Which has remained an original feature since the days of outdoor waitressing.
“It’s been a great legacy for my family,” shares Mike Spiris, Jon’s son. Who had worked alongside his dad for two decades (1995-2015). “I feel bad for the community, having to end like this. My dad spent his whole life here—my grandpa too. This was my dad’s baby. 24/7. This place didn’t run without him.”
To better understand what made Jon’s Country Burgers so iconic, consider its origin story.
According to Mike, Grandpa John served in the Marine Corps back in the 50s’ and was stationed in California. During his time out west, he had seen drive-in restaurants styled like the one Mount Pleasant would come to know. That retro charm and appreciation for period architecture would remain a seed of inspiration that he would return home to Michigan with.
Meanwhile, Mike’s great-grandparents owned the College Inn, down where SBX and the Malt Shop used to be. John had planned on coming back to run their restaurant after his service concluded. However, to his disappointment, it had been sold upon his arrival.
Ever determined, Big John improvised by purchasing a plot of farmland nearby. That farmland would eventually become the iconic diner that sits at the corner of Bellows and Mission Street, on the edge of CMU’s campus. He named the diner after his son, Jon, which would become the titular identity.
The original building had utilized California redwood on the exterior. A detail he had borrowed from the west coast aesthetic that inspired him. However, this was lost at the turn of the millennium. During business hours a fire broke out and destroyed some of the original architecture. The diner was forced to move forward with a loss of character but otherwise undeterred.
As for the city of Mount Pleasant, nobody would have ever guessed the environment around the diner would have evolved the way that it did since 1957. The establishment has commanded enormous respect over the years. As well as an unwavering customer loyalty that has swelled over the course of its final days.
“Everybody told him he was nuts for building a restaurant here”, explains Mike. “Because you’re way out in the country. Nobody is ever going to come visit you. Why are you putting your money into all of this? And look where we are now.”
Sometime later, Big John would also establish another Jon’s in Lansing. It would not echo the longevity of Mount Pleasant’s, however. It was eventually sold to a business partner who also served as a cook at the location. Priority then shifted back to the Central Michigan area.
Big John would remain the face of the Mount Pleasant location until 1977, when Little Jon married his wife, Kathy—who had worked in the diner. During this time, Big John would pass the business over to them, while remaining a continual presence for as long as he was able. Little Jon would adopt full responsibility and devote his life to the restaurant’s identity until the very end.
“69 years later and we’re still serving food,” adds Sarah Droster, who had taken the reins as team leader in the recent months, covering for Jon as needed.
She expresses much pride for the consistent team that has endured this past year, with little to no turnover. Sarah herself has been with Jon’s for 18 years and has maintained strong, upbeat leadership under the eventual pressure of the diner’s final week.
Paige, another team leader of nearly four years, reflected on her time.
“I worked here six days a week, managing and serving”, she says. “I could bring my daughter here. So, everyone was a family to me. Such a good atmosphere. I love seeing the regulars come in. Overall, it’s just been a great experience for me. I feel lucky that I got to be here.”
Another employee that has been a key ingredient in Jon’s history is Richard Theunissen. Who has worked the kitchen for 49 years—just shy of half a century. Rick has been described by his co-workers as an invaluable asset to the restaurant. The only thing he loved more than his workplace was local sports. Rick went above and beyond to perform his tasks and has witnessed the business changing hands and shapeshifting over the years more than any other employee. A team jewel, no question.
Due to an influx of personal complications at home, Jon himself was unable to be present during the last days. However, he has acknowledged the outpouring of love from the community and expresses much gratitude for the love and support over the years.
To lend further strength amidst his absence, former employees returned to help the present-day team. A true testament to what a warm, lasting impression the workplace has left on old team members. Who couldn’t resist coming back for one last grind. In addition to standing on business, it was an opportunity to mingle again with many preferred customers.
Randy and Deb were two such regulars.
“We got engaged here 51 years ago”, says Randy, who attended school with the Spiris. “In 1973. A country burger was only 99 cents then. Now it’s jumped up to $9.49. We’ve been here all our lives”.
“This is where you always met up with your friends,” adds Deb. “It’s just one of the few places from that time that still exists. It feels like there’s nothing left.”
Another couple on the opposite side of the room reflected on the famous fish dinner that will be missed by many. They too enjoyed a first date at the diner many years back—during their first visit to Mount Pleasant. Since then, it left a memorable impression that brought them in again.
Nova, who waited patiently in the long line on Friday, compares the loss of Jon’s to other partings she has witnessed as a lifelong Mount Pleasant native.
“I grew up coming here. I’ve lived here my entire life and used to come here with my dad. I’m sad it’s closing. It’s like the other staples in town—like Robaire’s—everywhere is just closing down. Getting replaced by fast food places that are coming in and out.”
On Saturday, the team announced the last of their original beef. They had run out in less than an hour after opening and had to improvise with a new source to balance supply and demand. This also included locking the dining room doors before more foot traffic could overwhelm the kitchen.
When the interior finally thinned out, the team expressed its gratitude via social media and retired into the weekend for a much-deserved rest.
The property is listed for sale and is currently subject to showings.
