Jay’s at the Lake and Lake Norman Mini Golf are closing after decades of operation on Statesville Road in Cornelius.

Jay’s at the Lake, a dive bar harkening back to another era in the Lake Norman area, opened more than 25 years ago, when the section of busy corridor was little more than a tree-lined thoroughfare.

The membership-only establishment was a no-frills hangout that endured decades of growth and change. Thursday was its final night of business, according to multiple sources in attendance.

In recent years, Jay’s was the site of a cocaine, methamphetamine and gun bust, as well as a stabbing last November that left one man in intensive care and resulted in two arrests.

The land where Jay’s is located has been for sale for years but was relisted last week for $2.5 million. The listing describes the acreage as “prime commercial real estate across from new Atrium Hospital in Cornelius.”

Mini golf closing

Lake Norman Mini Golf is also closing this weekend after nearly two decades on Statesville Road, according to a statement posted on its social media feeds.

“What started as a small family dream turned into years of laughter, first dates, birthday parties, friendly competition and countless memories shared on our greens,” the post read. “We’ve watched kids grow up, families return year after year, and a community form around something as simple as a round of mini golf.”

According to its website, the Zent family opened the course in 2008 and sold it 10 years later to the Irby family, which has supported nonprofits in the Lake Norman community. The facility later added a climbing wall and a laser maze and sold snow cones.

“We invite you to come out over the next week, play a final round, snap some photos and help us celebrate our history,” the company said in the post.

According to hours posted on the website, the facility is open from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, its final day of operation.

Messages seeking comment with both Jay’s and LKN Mini Golf were not immediately returned.