Overview

• Rick & Ann’s has been a Berkeley brunch fixture since 1989, celebrated for its homey vibe and signature dishes like red flannel hash and potato-cheese pancakes.
• On June 3, Lauer announced the diner’s final service will be Sunday, August 3, as she opts not to renew the lease and steps away from daily operations.
• The closure underscores mounting pressures on independent restaurants from rising food costs, staffing shortages and narrow profit margins.
• Longtime patrons have voiced sadness and nostalgia online, recalling birthdays, graduations and weekend rituals hosted at the East Bay institution.
• Ann’s Catering will continue under Lauer’s leadership and is moving into a new commercial kitchen to meet increasing demand.