HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. -
After more than three decades, a popular Hendersonville restaurant closed its doors for the final time Thursday afternoon.
Mallard's by the Lake owner, Richard Goetz purchased the meat and three restaurant two years.
Goetz told Nashville's News 2 he made the decision to close the 36-year-old business because the landlord decided not to renew their lease.
"He has a right to do whatever he wants and the lease expired after two years," he said. "It is just sad that Hendersonville is going to loose a little piece of history that has been here for a long time."
Many longtime customers stopped by for one final meal on Thursday.
"I hate to see it close. It is a sad day," customer Allan Thomas said.
Customer Valeria Vanderpool added, "I knew it was their last day and I really wanted home cooked food and I was really craving it, so I said I am going to Mallard's. Mallard's is a good idea."
Goetz said he has to be out of his current location by Sunday.
"We've had a lot of crying," he said.
Waitress Shelia Foster added she is not looking forward to trying to find a new job.
"The silver lining I would have out of it is I have met some great people. I have met some great people working here," she said.
Goetz said he hopes to find a suitable new location to reopen the restaurant in the future.
Nashville's News 2 reached out to landlord Harvey Towe in an effort to find out what his plans are for the building, however the calls remained unreturned.
