POTTSVILLE -- After 51 years, it all came to an end for a longtime business in Schuylkill County.
Brewer's Outlet along Route 61 in Pottsville had plenty of business and wasn't changing hands. Instead, the beer distributor was forced out after CVS Pharmacy made a deal for the building the business had leased for decades.
For most of her nine years as manager of the beer distributor, Lisa Hozella's office door at Brewer's Outlet had a knight in shining armor standing guard.
"This is the knight that protects me," Hozella explained.
But what it couldn't protect her from was a real estate deal by CVS Pharmacy, which signed a deal to build a store where Brewer's Outlet and two other properties are located.
"We're being displaced from our land lease," said Bob Carl, Brewer's Outlet owner. "Unfortunately we must leave. So it's a tough day."
For those who made one final pass through the aisles, they said it's sad seeing something like this go.
"This is the only place I ever buy my beer," said Brian Herring of Pottsville.
"It's going to be very inconvenient because I'm going to have to change my route," said Sandy Kleckner of Lewistown Valley.
One of the big questions left is what will happen to the mural that's been on the building since the 1990s.
"We're trying to save the mural," Herring added. "The mural is the biggest thing because that means a lot to Schuylkill County."
The mural was painted by an artist in Pottsville who passed away. People in the area say somehow, before the place is torn down, the mural needs to live on since it's such an iconic part of the community.
"I hope they can save that," said Sarah Bambrick of Schuylkill Haven. "It's a beautiful mural. I've seen that ever since I was a kid."
Right now, the fate of the iconic mural is in the hands of the new owner, CVS Pharmacy.
"As I drive by it, it's a familiar face," said Kleckner. "It's been there forever. It's going to be different whatever happens to it."
The owner of Brewer's Outlet says he hopes to find a new location soon.
In the meantime, the store will continue to deliver to its wholesale customers through December 5.