MOOSIC -- A McDonald's restaurant in Lackawanna County is closing its doors after 40 years of business.
The fast food place on Birney Avenue in Moosic is expected to shut down at the end of the month.
That news surprised many people, including Nikki Samsell who works at Dino and Francesco's Restaurant across the street.
"It was my first job at McDonald's when I was 15 so I love it there. Its been there since I was a kid," said Nikki Samsell.
McDonald's is expected to close September 30.
Store owners sent a statement to Newswatch 16 saying, "It was a difficult decision," but never made it clear exactly why the Moosic chain is closing.
Some people we spoke to have mixed ideas, like Joseph Antonio of Scranton. He said he has visited that McDonald's a few times.
"What kind of hurt them is all this construction here in the past two years, that kind of probably hurt them there a bit business-wise so maybe that's part of the reason why they are closing? I don't know," said Antonio.
"It's just one of those things. I think its just run its course," said Samsell.
Francis Cutry lives just up the street from McDonald's. She said it's a popular stop for many people in Moosic and the closure doesn't seem right.
"A lot of people go to McDonald's, you know what I mean? The closest one is Old Forge or South Side now," said Francis Cutry, Moosic.
People in the area said the McDonald's on Birney Avenue has been a convenience for many people, for many years, and they are sad to see it go. They hope whatever goes there next will benefit the area.
"If we can do something better with that space I guess that would be a positive thing for the area. Maybe for us too, give us a little boost," said Samsell.
Store owners said employees from the Birney Avenue location will be moved to other locations.
