CHATHAM (WSLS 10) - ChathaMooca Cafe was packed Monday with locals trying to get one last bite before the restaurant closes for good Tuesday.
"This has been, really, one of the mainstays of the community since they opened. It's a gathering point. It's a place where you can go and have coffee, have a nice lunch," said retired state senator Charles Hawkins, who was having lunch in the cafe Monday.
Recommended Videos
Ron and Suzzane Brown opened the restaurant in 2009 and have been running it ever since, but not necessarily with the hope of making a profit.
"It's funny, when you go to sell a business though if you don't show much of a profit nobody wants to buy it. We didn't really show much of a profit, but that was our mission," Ron said. "We really wanted to do something for the town and provide jobs for people."
Ron estimates 45 to 50 people have been employed at the cafe over the years.
The restaurant focused on providing jobs for people that may not have many job opportunities.
"We've had people with felon records, we've got a fella working for us now that's legally blind. I didn't think he could do the job, but in some cases he's probably the best person we've had in some areas," Ron explained.
Ron and his wife have decided to close the restaurant to move closer to their grand kids, who live 15 hours away.
Customers say they will miss more than just the restaurant.
"Both Ron and Suzzane have just been wonderful assets to this community. They've been active in the Chatham area with the fire department as well as Chatham First. They worked hand and foot to do a lot of work around here," Hawkins emphasized.
Perhaps no more so though than in the cafe, where they created great food and opportunities for so many.