<p>ATHENS, Ga. _ For 74 years, the Charlie Williams Pinecrest Lodge served up Southern cooking, buffet style, to college students, locals and visitors to Athens.</p><p>On Saturday, folks lined up one last time _ this time to buy the restaurants decades worth of cookware, decorations and assorted bric-a-brac at a public auction.</p><p>Itll be a piece of Athens history gone, said Mark Williams, an auction attendant not related to the lodges owners. Its sad that the family didnt continue it.</p><p>The rustic restaurant was founded in 1929. Mike Williams, nephew of founder Charlie Williams, took over in 1975.</p><p>He recently sold the property to Shiver Homes Inc., which is developing a six-phase subdivision nearby.</p><p>There comes a time when you have to separate a sentimental attachment to something from business value, Mike Williams said.</p><p>Jud Shiver, owner of Shiver Homes, said hell try to salvage the lodges main building _ which was handcrafted with local stone by Charlie Williams _ possibly working a future phase of his subdivision around the lodge.</p><p>Tearing down this place would be like tearing down The Varsity, said Brent Lovern, 32, an animal caretaker at the University of Georgia, referring to the landmark Athens and Atlanta eatery.</p><p>The auctions contents were a testament to Charlie Williams pack-rat nature.</p><p>Mary Jo Logue, an Athens resident since 1967, eyed an old butter mold like one her mother used to use.</p><p>Retired University of Georgia professor Gene Michaels spotted an old piece of paper that mentions a slave sale.</p><p>And as an auctioneer moved from room to room, others bid on the restaurants working equipment.</p><p>At least a couple of auction attendees were less interested in remembering the past than getting a start on their future.</p><p>Josh Page, 18, of Buford said he wants to open a bar in downtown Athens and was looking for equipment to get the business off the ground.</p><p>Meanwhile, Evelyn Bloodsaw and Brenda Allen were looking over the dishes, hoping to nab some for their churchs new fellowship hall.</p><p>Information from: Athens Banner-Herald</p>
