The announcement Thursday that TJ’s Sports Garden would be closing its doors on July 31 was met with both sadness and fond memories of a restaurant that had become a staple of Ohio Valley dining.

In its 35 years, TJ’s developed into a community hangout, a place where people could relax, watch the big game and have fun. When TJ Radevski first opened the restaurant, there weren’t many sports bars around the Ohio Valley. Now they’re abundant.

Whoever has purchased the property ­– Radevski said it will soon reopen under new management after some renovations — has some pretty big shoes to fill. Meanwhile, let’s tip our caps to Radevski and his wife Bonnie as they step back from the restaurant business. They’ve been an important part of it for more than three decades.