The Elephant Trail Reopens as Owners Mourn General Manager's Death

Update, Sept. 14, 2 p.m.

Avon Village Marketplace Property Manager Ann August confirmed Friday afternoon that The Elephant Trail has reopened.

"The sign is down, and people are sitting, enjoying themselves," she wrote in an email to Avon Patch at 2 p.m.

August had kind words about General Manager Sohors Tek, who recently died of pancreatic cancer, the restaurant announced to its patrons on Facebook Thursday.

"Sohors was such a quiet & kind person, with a  smile ready to greet every person who walked in the door," August wrote to Patch. "Such a hard working woman. The restaurant will not be the same without her. The whole family makes it seem so easy to provide so many great dishes day after day, I know it will be a huge adjustment to fill her shoes."

Original Story

in Avon announced on its Facebook page Thursday that it is closing temporarily following the recent death of General Manager Sohors Tek.

This is what the Facebook message said:

"Friends:

"Our beloved sister and general manager Sohors passed away this afternoon after a valiant and long - but still too short - battle with pancreatic cancer and related ailments.

"The Elephant Trail in Avon will be closed until further notice.

"Our sister location, The Blue Elephant Trail in West Hartford Center remains open for business.

"Details about her memorial service will become available next week. Thank you for your support."

The Facebook post was quickly flooded with comments from patrons wishing their condolences to the restaurant owners. In the comments, many patrons said they looked forward to seeing Sohors when they came to dine at The Elephant Trail, noting her "smiling face" and positive spirit.

Many comments had similar reflections to the ones highlighted below:

• "Her warm, welcoming and lovely being truly filled our hearts and made every visit to your restaurants special," patron Tara Becker Rahmy wrote on the restaurant's Facebook page. "Sohors had a way of making all of us feel like family and we always walked out the door not just satisfied with good food, but truly joyful. She was a gift ! Thinking of all of you!!!"

• "I am so very sorry to hear of this. Sohors was a lovely, kind woman. She was the smiling face of the restaurant," patron Amy Reeves Sumner wrote on Facebook. "She loved her husband and children dearly, and loved talking with us about them when we would visit the restaurant. Your family is in our prayers."

• "I am so sorry for your family's loss," patron Julia Freling wrote. "I've been going to your restaurant since I was in high school in 2006 and always looked forward to seeing her on trips home to Avon. She was such a warm person and always smiling. She will truly be missed."

The Blue Elephant Trail in West Hartford, the sister restaurant to The Elephant Trail, will remain open.

More information will be provided when it becomes available.