La Bonne Soupe Café is a local institution. And now it’s no more. Sac Bee’s Blair Anthony Robertson tells the story in the Sac Bee.

About four months ago, Pont felt such intense pain in his hips that he was forced to close the restaurant for five days. He could barely walk. He couldn't sleep. He had bursitis, an ailment made worse by standing all day.

"My doctor said age is a factor," Pont said. "I said, 'Tell me something I don't already know.' I am 72, but my body is more like 100. I have been cooking on my feet for 55 years."

"Being a one-man show, it was a wonderful six years. But the last year, I felt the pain. I realized I created it for myself. I had no freedom. I feel bad. I feel like I let people down," Pont said.

His last day was Friday. Read the entire story in the Sac Bee.

Sac Press’s Brandon Darnell has more on what’s happening to the restaurant.

He sold his business to a young couple, and he said much of it will remain the same, but he’s hanging onto his recipes.

“I advised them to keep the same concept because it works,” he said. “If I was 10 years younger, I would franchise (the business). I told them to make good food and be nice to the people, because without customers, you have no business.”

Read the entire story in Sac Press. Photo via KCRA.com.

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