Shoney’s and the adjacent Inn of Clanton were closed Thursday as a result of a bankruptcy case involving the owner of the businesses.

Visitors to Shoney’s, a popular local eatery, were greeted by doors chained shut and signs reading, “Sorry, we are temporarily closed.”

What the closings meant for employees at the two businesses couldn’t be determined by press time.

A Chapter 7 case came before U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Middle District of Alabama involving Sunrise USA Inc., which owns and operates the local Shoney’s and Inn of Clanton businesses.

The trustee in the case, Daniel Hamm, had been operating the businesses, but in an order dated Dec. 18, Hamm requested that the court terminate his authority to operate the businesses.

Curtis and Beverly Baker are involved in the case, asserting that they hold a mortgage on the property, according to their attorney, Von Memory.

Memory said Sunrise USA, until recently, had made monthly payments to the Bakers toward the mortgage in their name, but the Bakers had not been involved with ownership or management of the businesses since 2004.

“Our position has been to keep the restaurant and motel in operation,” the Bakers said in a statement through their attorney. “We are extremely saddened by the closure, not only for the wonderful employees (many of whom have been honorable and faithful employees for many years), but also because of the short notice of closure during the Christmas season.

“It is our goal and mission to use the processes of the court to gain control of the restaurant and motel as quickly as possible and reopen soon thereafter.”

David Gatch, attorney for Sunrise USA, declined to comment since the case is pending.

Hamm could not immediately be reached for comment.