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Iconic Cuban Restaurant 'Ruben's' Closing Its Doors

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- An iconic restaurant in the heart of Pinecrest will be closing its doors on Saturday.

The Yaniz family first opened Ruben's Cuban Restaurant in 1982 but now after 33 years the Cuban restaurant was told they had to close temporarily because the landlord will be remodeling.

"This place is not just a restaurant it's a landmark something that has meaning people are calling on the phone and say how could this be and we have no say" says Denise Yaniz one of the owners.

CLICK HERE To Watch Marybel Rodriguez's Report 

On Friday regulars packed the small quaint restaurant for their daily shot of Cuban coffee, picadillo and rice and black bean. They wrote messages on the walls and counter expressing their sadness.

"You walk in here and everybody knows your name its warm it's a family you are not coming in to a restaurant you are coming to a family house" said Adriana Munoz a regular who has been eating at Ruben's for 18 years.

CBS4's Marybel Rodriguez spoke with the leasing company Comras. They released a statement saying "Ruben's has been an iconic gathering space in our center we are grateful for the long relationship we have enjoyed. We continue to work with the Yaniz family for a potential re-opening and continuing the tradition."

The Yaniz family says they hope to re-open however they have not gotten anything in writing. For now they say it's a wait and see situation.

What they know for sure is that their last cafecito will be served at 2 p.m. on Saturday that is when they will be closing their doors which they hope will only be temporarily.

A for the other tenants in the shopping center located on 124 st and 82 ave, they will not be affected because that part of the center after Ruben's is owned by someone else.

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