Lafayette's Historic Mission-Style Taco Bell Shutters as Staff Watch Final Day

The Mission-style Taco Bell on Mount Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette, California, closed its doors as of the evening of January 13, 2026, marking the end of one of the few remaining original, mission-style Taco Bell buildings in the United States. Employees working the final shifts confirmed the closure and staff were present throughout the restaurant’s last afternoon as locals gathered to say goodbye.

The building carries local nostalgia and has long been the subject of an urban legend about an on-site bell that once rang for passing motorists. That cultural value spurred increased customer traffic during the restaurant’s final day, with a steady flow of residents and former patrons visiting the store to take photos and speak with staff. Photographs captured workers behind the counter and in the dining room as the location wound down operations.

For employees, the closure translated into a visibly busy final shift that combined routine closing duties with heightened public attention. Management at the site coordinated the end-of-day procedures while staff handled a larger than usual volume of customers. There were no reports of mass layoffs or company-wide employment changes tied to this single-store closure. How affected hourly workers will be reassigned, whether to nearby Taco Bell locations or through other measures, was not confirmed by local management at the time of reporting.

Taco Bell corporate had not provided comment to this newsroom by publication. The company has in the past assisted with preservation efforts for other historic locations, but there was no confirmation that corporate intervention occurred in Lafayette. That leaves the building’s long-term fate uncertain and community preservation advocates considering next steps.

The closure underscores tensions many fast food workers face when a neighborhood landmark shutters: increased workload and emotional labor during final days, followed by uncertainty about transfers or future schedules. For front-of-house and back-of-house staff, the immediate priorities are wrap-up of staffing logistics and any administrative follow-up their managers can provide.

Local interest suggests the site’s story is not concluded. Preservation debates, potential redevelopment, and employee reassignments are likely to follow as community members and company representatives clarify what comes next. Workers and residents should expect updates from store management and corporate channels as plans solidify, and those affected by the closure will be watching for details on transfers, final pay, and other workplace logistics.