The Lemon Tree restaurant at 420 E. Savannah Road in Lewes will not be closing after all, at least not for now.

Owner Terry Thomas said the sale to a new owner has fallen through. While she could not discuss the details, she said it will be business as usual until she can find a new buyer.

Thomas said she was going to close the doors for good March 19, until this unexpected development happened.

“This is really a hardship for us. I had soup kitchens and Boy Scouts picking things up; now they can’t do that,” Thomas said. 

Thomas has owned the popular breakfast and lunch spot for 19 years. She said it is time to retire.

“My body hurts every which way,” she said.

Thomas said the new owner was expecting to move in quickly, renovate and open a bagel shop there this spring.

For now, Thomas and her daughter, Allie, will continue to open at 6 a.m. for breakfast, serve up cheesesteaks for lunch, and offer hot dogs and cake on Fridays.

Thomas said they won’t close for good until they find someone to take over. But she stressed that the Lemon Tree is still for sale.

“I know some people who might want to continue this, someone who would enjoy it enough to keep it,” Thomas said. “My customers have become like family, and I thank everyone for their support.”