Lilah owner Connie Simmons hugs a friend at the Lilah Art Sale on Monday night. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Founded during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Dec. 2020, Lilah has become a beloved eating establishment for many members of the local community.

The American and international fusion restaurant moved into 115 East German Street in Shepherdstown after the location’s previous restaurant, Domestic, moved to Frederick, Md. And over the time since then, owner Connie Simmons has brought vitality to the space, with live music and numerous special events, including trivia nights, karaoke nights and drag brunches.

That is all now coming to an end this Saturday night, when Lilah has its last hurrah with a special prix fixe dinner, before permanently closing its doors.

“My life has changed,” Simmons said. “It’s time.”

On Monday night, Simmons could be found greeting countless friends, who she had met through her time at Lilah, with a hug. Many friends and faithful customers stopped by Lilah Art Sale throughout the evening, to purchase some of the restaurant’s custom dog art.

Community members leave Lilah for the last time on Monday night. Tabitha Johnston

“Everything you see in here I planned,” Simmons said, mentioning she would only be keeping a few of the pieces of decor, related to her restaurant’s namesake and her most recent dog. “I commissioned every piece of art.”

The Lilah Art Sale also featured a buffet of free food made by the location’s next restaurant, which Simmons had gone out of her way to find, before officially announcing Lilah’s closure.

“I wanted there to be a restaurant here for the town, because I live here,” Simmons said. “And I wanted there to be jobs for my staff, so I looked for someone who would do those things.”

Simmons said she believed she has found exactly what she had been searching for in Emmanuel and Lindsey Spanos, who have successfully run the Taste of Greece food truck for the past three years.

“The new owners are a young family with restaurant experience. They want to do this, and I 100 percent support them,” Simmons said. “They’re personal friends of mine, so I’ll still be in here on a regular basis. It’s good! It’s just sad to say goodbye.”

Paul and Mary Tickner, of Pittsburgh, Pa., fill their plates with Greek food in Lilah on Monday night. Tabitha Johnston

According to Simmons, her decision to close Lilah was made a couple of months ago. It was largely influenced by the fact that she has been overworking herself for the last 18 months, managing two full-time jobs — running Lilah and working as a government contractor, overseeing teams that build Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

“I went through my divorce and had to take on another full-time job for benefits,” Simmons said. “Since then, I have met a wonderful man and I’m getting married. I can’t continue to work two full-time jobs — we have to look toward our future.”

At the Lilah Art Sale, Shepherdstown residents John and Patti Bachner could be found sampling the Spanos family’s Greek cuisine and spending time with Simmons.

“We’re here to celebrate Connie! This place opened during COVID and she stuck it out,” Patti said. “We will miss Lilah, but we’re so happy for Connie. She has a great life ahead of her! She’s getting married soon, so I am so excited for her!”

John agreed with Patti, before noting the one thing that he will most miss about Lilah.

15-year-old Kellin Little performs for the crowd at the Lilah Art Sale on Monday night. Tabitha Johnston

“Lilah was the only restaurant in town with a separate menu for dogs,” John said. “That will be greatly missed.”