“This one did catch us off guard. We like an opportunity as key leaders within the community to talk to business owners, and if they are experiencing difficulties, we might be able to point them towards resources,” said Sandi Arnold, executive director of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.
The restaurant employed 35 part-time workers.
Clancy’s Inc. of Sidney owned the franchise, and President Perry Fogelsong told the Urbana Daily Citizen it had to close because of “unsustainable losses” for “quite some time.”
He said the decision was made to close about a month ago. However, employees were told Monday and some were notified over the phone.
“It stings. You know it comes down to employees, and this is a tough time of year for people to lose their employment,” Arnold said.
She said she will make sure the employees have the resources available to make it through the holidays.
Ponderosa opened in 1988, and Fogelsong said he appreciated the patronage from Urbana residents over the years.
He said he wants to sell the building to another business soon. Anyone who is interested should call Kelly Gray Equity Inc. at 937-470-3002.
Arnold said the chamber will work to help attract another food service to use the building.
Big Lots is planning to close this winter, and the Urbana Theater closed in October. Add in Ponderosa’s closure, and all are big losses for Urbana, according to Arnold.
Anyone with questions about the Ponderosa closing can call 317-773-3284, ext. 225.
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