It took just over an hour for the former Big Boy's restaurant to be emptied Saturday. The city, which now owns the 2.5-acre property where the former popular eatery was located, sold an array of items that have been essentially untouched since the restaurant closed in 2005. The items that were sold consisted of salt and pepper shakers, silverware, tables, chairs and numerous other kitchen utensils. Overall, the city received $2,511.20 for the items. A line of buyers started showing up as early as 7 a.m. for the 8 a.m. sale. By 9:15 a.m. the sale was over. Wright City resident J. Paul Hunt purchased the majority of the restaurant's contents, according to city officials. He paid $1,271.65 for everything that was still inside the restaurant once the early arrivals were done shopping. The most expensive item sold Saturday was a $50 rolling baker's rack. Most of what was sold was priced between 25 cents and $2. "It was a madhouse," said Karen Girondo, the city's economic development director/treasurer. "There were a lot of people. There is such a connection with the community and the business. "Most people bought stuff," she added. "Some came in and wanted one last look." For the larger items, such as walk-in coolers, kitchen appliances, shelving and light fixtures, the city is continuing to accept sealed bids. The bid deadline is 5 p.m. on June 9 at city hall. Sealed bids will then be opened at Thursday's board of aldermen meeting. A small assortment of items were not included in the sale, including stained-glass windows from the building. While some with the city were surprised with the large turnout Saturday, others weren't. Girondo said the items had a sentimental value for many. The restaurant was a popular stop for local residents and highway travelers and was known for its all-you-can eat fried chicken dinners. Girondo met her husband, Tony, at the restaurant and worked there throughout high school along with other family members. "For me it was an emotional day," Girondo said. "Big Boy's was so tied to the community. Anybody that worked there had an emotional tie." Big Boy's was closed by the Missouri Department of Revenue in April 2005 because the owners failed to pay state sales taxes. Since then, the building sat vacant and the structure that housed Big Boy's fell into disrepair. The city paid $170,000 for the property, located at 13200 Veterans Memorial Parkway, and finalized the purchase in January to rid the city of a deteriorating building that many called an eyesore. The city plans constructing a new city hall and police department facility on the property. The city, however, has not yet determined how fast it will proceed with demolishing the two structures on the property and a future relocation of city offices. According to published reports, Big Boy's moved to the existing structure in 1948. The restaurant underwent several changes in ownership, with Paul S. King Sr. buying the business in the mid-1980s. At the time of its closure, he owned the restaurant with his sons, Kevin and Paul Scott King Jr. However, once the restaurant closed, city officials and residents routinely expressed frustration that more wasn't done to maintain the property and its structures. Earlier this year, one of the three buildings was demolished after it was condemned. The Kings had been cited on multiple occasions over the years, mainly for the dilapidated state of the buildings on the property. An attempt to have the restaurant placed on the National Register of Historic Places failed in 2007.