During the last few days, friends and loyals customer had stopped into the diner to wish Berg a happy retirement and to thank him for his decades of service.

Among those attending the last breakfast service were Bill Steinke and Lou Geistfeld, members of the 9:30 regulars who would come in for coffee every morning. The group would usually play a game to figure out which member will pay the bill for the group, but Steinke agreed to pay the last round.

Steinke said they would miss coming into the Ulmer because it was a great way to find out what was happening in town.

“It is one of New Ulm’s great institutions,” he said.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The last reservation was for a three-generation family group — around the table clockwise from upper left: Grace Sauers, Dan Sauers, Marisa Sauers, Emily Boeltor, Hazel Sauers, Pat Schneider.

This was a common sentiment expressed by customers. Many saw it as the end of an era. Mike Hillesheim said New Ulm was losing another legend. Hillsheim said he starting eating at Ulmer from the beginning, and he would not miss the last day.

“We got to support or local businesses,” he said.

Red Zarn came from Sleepy Eye to see Berg off to retirement. Though Zarn is from Sleepy Eye, he ate at Ulmer whenever he visited New Ulm and loves talking to fellow patrons at the counter.

Josh Fred of Fred’s Dog hot dog cart was one of the last people served at the Ulmer. Fred was a big fan of the Ulmer and wanted to show his support on the last day. He ordered two eggs on toast.

At 10 a.m. the Schneider family came in for their reserved table. Pat Schneider said her family had been having Saturday brunch at the Ulmer for five years. Three generations of the family meet in the diner after early morning yoga or tennis. With the Ulmer closing, the family is not sure what it will do for brunch on Saturdays.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt With Red Zarn of Sleepy Eye at the counter in the foreground. The last sitting of the “9:30 guys” table is behind Zarn: Lou Geistfeld (white hoodie) and Bill Steinke.

Throughout the breakfast service, patrons would shout their thanks to Berg, who continue to work in the kitchen until the last minute.

Berg said the last few days of The Ulmer were among the busiest. Friday was the last full day the diner was open, and he believed it might have been the busiest day in his 41 years as owner-operator. His last Saturday breakfast service was also fairly busy and might have set a record for the most eggs served at the diner.

After running the Ulmer for 41 years and wrapping up a final breakfast service on Saturday, he turned off the open sign a little after 11 a.m. for the last time.