The owners of a soul food staple in East Nashville have decided to retire after a developer bought their property.
Linda Bailey said she opened up Bailey and Cato's Family Restaurant with her husband 16 years ago.
Bailey said, "I worked at McDonalds for 25 years and he worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken. We been in food business ever since we've known each other!"
Charlotte James has been a regular customer.
James said, "I'm guna cry when they close. It's like my favorite place... I guess nothing lasts forever."
Robert Bailey said if they were 15 years younger they would keep working.
Customers claimed they would be showing up to their home for dinner.
Bailey said, "They're trying to get my address so they can come by and get food."
Robert said they got an offer on the property they couldn't resist.
"If I was 15 years younger I would have kept on going," said Bailey.
Customers like Joyce Blair understood.
Blair said, "The good news is the son is looking for a place to open up! So they're still guna be in business! But they just wana more parking space."
The Bailey's son Derrick hopes to keep the business going. He said they need a larger parking lot and dining area.
Derrick Bailey said, "It's a lot of heart sweat and tears in this building. We basically created everything in here ourselves."
He's looking for a new location but having some trouble.
Bailey said, "It's hard. Everything around east Nashville is in the millions and up! The price value around here just went sky high!"
Linda and Robert said their last day will be October 31st.
Bailey said, "I told my husband when we close down don't think I'm guna cook at home! I'm not."
Derrick said his siblings will work at the restaurant if they can find a new area to move to.
"We would have more than just one food chain ya know what I'm saying."
