FRANKLIN—Simply Divine closed its doors this past weekend with no advance warning. Regular customers who would come by Saturday for breakfast or lunch discovered the doors locked, the lights out and the following sign posted:

“Thanks to our loyal customers over the years, but it is time I lay down my apron and officially retire.

“As of July 26, 2014, our business is closed. Thanks, Liz and Herb.”

Liz Britt, had previous restaurant experience when she opened Simply Divine in 2010 at the former Parker’s Drug store, which had closed July 27 that year. Neither Britt nor her husband, Herbert, could be reached for comment on the decision.

In addition to serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant sold roasted pecans and other peanuts under her “Liz is Nuts” label. In winter of 2012, she had published her own cookbook, “Child, This is Cooking: Recipes and Memoirs,” which was also for sale.

Teresa Beale, executive director of the Franklin-Southampton Chamber of Commerce, mourns the closing.

“I’m happy for Liz to retire, but it’s just sad that she won’t be on the corner and serving all her customers with her wonderful food and hospitality,” Beale said. “She’s been in the food business and community for a long time in different venues.

“It’s sad we won’t have her crab cakes. It’s an end of an era. She was an icon in the food industry around here. It’s one less place to eat..it was a quaint little place.”