By Staci DaSilva
sdasilva@kcautv.com
It's been open for almost 50 years but a drastic loss in business is forcing Sioux City's Truck Haven to close its doors for good.
The road ends here for the Truck Haven in Sioux City.
Open since 1964, the Truck Haven has been a consistent base for truck drivers as they make the long journey across the country. And...it's closing next Thursday.
Trucker Kelly Petersen stops here many times a week.
"Just to sit down and be able to talk to people that you deal with all the time. Stop and eat instead of eating on the road all the time," said Petersen.
So why is this happening? Well, lack of business.
The Truck Haven lost 700 truckers a week when John Morrell closed its doors. And construction at Singing Hills, which started last spring has clogged traffic in the area.
Neale Towner, Truck Haven employee for 37 years said, "It's probably half of what it used to be. It's steadily went down since Morrell closed and between that and construction, it was a big loss for us."
The plan is for the truck stop to be replaced by the company "Pilot Flying J." It will include a convenience store, gas pumps and two fast food restaurants.
Missing will be the current Truck Haven staples: An auto shop, motel, café and of course, the unique, small business environment.
"The little Mom and Pops are disappearing and the big companies are taking over," said Petersen.
"It's my life, you know? You get used to getting up every morning and coming down here. It's going to be a big change," said Towner.
If you'd like a piece of the Truck Haven, there will be an auction on March 10th at 11am on site.
