Friday will not be a normal day at the McDonald's Express in Algoma.
After operating for 15 years at 1025 Lake Street, the restaurant will close its doors for good at the end of the business day.
Owner Jeff Norland, who filed notice of the closing with the state in September, says the store's small size and inability to offer more products just made it too difficult to remain open at that location.
Thirty-three employees work at the store. Norland says about half have taken or will take jobs at McDonald's locations in Luxemburg and Sturgeon Bay.
Algoma Mayor Wayne Schmidt says it's a loss to the city, especially given the community's size.
"The business has always been good there," says Schmidt. "It's just that they want to expand their menu and with the size building they had they were unable to do that."
Schmidt says city officials have had discussions with McDonald's about opening a store in a larger space, most likely downtown, but so far have been unable to come to an agreement.
