“Locals in Ashland City saddened by restaurant closure”

Locals in Ashland City saddened by restaurant closure

Posted: 02 Aug 2010 07:39 PM PDT

ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. - A popular Ashland City restaurant that's been around for nearly four decades will shut its doors to make room for a chain drug store.

While some people in the town call it progress, others believe it will leave a hole in the community that can't be filled.

Last week, owner Steve Stratton announced he is closing his restaurant, Stratton's, in about a month, and a Walgreens drugstore will be built in its place.

The South Main Street restaurant has been serving up hamburgers and milkshakes for 38 years.

Regular customer Lori Stone said, "More than that, for people here, it's been a place to meet."

The restaurant is very important to the community, as people gather there after church, baseball games or other events.

When asked what will fill the space for those activities, Stone told News 2, "I don't know. I just want to cry."

"This is part of what makes Ashland City… Ashland City," said Dale McCarver, who was also saddened to hear about the closing. "There's Walgreens on every corner of every town in America, doesn't say anything unique about that town, but this was our place."

Stratton told News 2 it was time for him to move on.

"It's been a great life," he said. "I've met the greatest people in the world. I've been blessed with wonderful employees. It's just been a nice run, but to be honest with you, I'm ready to relax and learn how to sleep again."

Stratton told News 2 he also shed tears over this turning point, not only in his life, but in the life of Ashland City.

The last orders at the restaurant will be taken September 4.

The photos, antiques and memorabilia will be placed in storage. Then, the building will be torn down and Walgreens will start building.

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