GEORGETOWN, Del.- A long time business on Route 113 closed its doors Monday afternoon.
The Hardee's on Dupont Blvd closed their doors due to the construction of an overpass at the intersection of Routes 113 and 404.
According to the owners, the land was acquired by the state.
Michael and Paul Cato, who have owned the fast food restaurant for close to 30 years, were sad to close up shop and say goodbye.
"We've got a lot of investment in here," said Michael Cato. "Not necessarily financially, but more so in the community, the people we serve. This restaurant has been here for a long, long time, it's a staple of the community. And and we're genuinely, genuinely sad to be leaving."
"Almost all of them (the customers) are asking what's happening to us," said Paul Cato. "They want to know if we'll be moving somewhere else in town."
The Hardee's was owned initially by Hardee's Corporate for the first 12 years of its existence, until the Catos took it under their control.
According to Paul Cato, a majority of the employees are being transferred to other Hardee's locations. He also added that to his understanding, a majority of the businesses on that intersection are being impacted by this construction. He said an Arby's down the street closed its doors some time last week.
According to DelDOT, this overpass will help make the intersection safer and ease traffic congestion. The overpass is expected to begin construct some time in 2024.
As for the Catos, they are happy to have served the community for as long as they have.
"I don't think the state's doing anything they don't think is in the best interest of the community," said Michael Cato. "We trust them on that. Not all things are meant to be forever. And we know that."