POST FALLS - The 1933 Ford three-window coupe that has spun on top of the Hot Rod Cafe for the past 14 years stopped on Wednesday.

The cafe, an icon and regional destination along Interstate 90, closed at 11 a.m. due to sagging business.

"It's absolutely brutal," said teary-eyed owner Rob Elder. "It's the most difficult day of my life. My whole life has been wrapped in this business.

"I just hope people remember what it was and what it did more than anything. We've had a lot of support over the years."

The cafe employed 40. Over the summer - with temporary, seasonal help - about 70 worked at the business. At its summer peak five years ago, about 125 worked at the cafe.

"To see your team look up to you with tears in their eyes is crushing," Elder said. "They won't have a job heading into winter and that hurts. They're the ones who made it happen every day."

Elder said the River City Rod Run, which the cafe has sponsored during the past 14 summers at the business on Schneidmiller Avenue and the Greyhound Park and Event Center, and his Satay catering business are in limbo.

"(The Rod Run) has been a wonderful community event, but I don't have an answer on its future," he said. "Satay probably can't exist without the cafe and its kitchen."

Elder said he's not sure what will happen with the hot rods, motorcycles and other racing memorabilia that decorate the cafe.

Elder said that, although employees knew the business was struggling, they were still shocked over the closure when notified in a meeting on Wednesday morning. Rumors about a possible closure have been swirling for several months. The restaurant has been struck by the economy the past three years.

"Our sales are off 40 percent from where they were five years ago," Elder said. "I've seen a lot of my neighbors close. I just can't keep writing checks that my employees can't cash."

Elder said he recently put the business on the market for $1.79 million. He said it's not going into foreclosure and he didn't file for bankruptcy.

Elder has operated local restaurant businesses for the past 26 years. He is a former co-owner of Cricket's bar and grill in Coeur d'Alene.

Elder spent Wednesday afternoon answering Hot Rod's phone, confirming with customers and residents that the business closed after the news spread quickly. Normally a lively place with music in the background and TVs throughout, Elder was left with a dark, quiet building after employees left.

"I owe it to people to hear it from the horse's mouth," Elder said between calls.

Teena Pappas was among those who went to the business to see if the closure was true.

"It's sad, but unfortunately these are the times we're in," Pappas said. "My son has enjoyed coming to 'the car place.' The food was good and the service was great. Everybody knows where the Hot Rod is at."

The North Idaho Classics Car Club has met at the cafe and assisted with the Rod Run.

"It sucks - Rob's a great guy - but I know he has been struggling and hanging on for quite a while," said Larry Sherman, a former president of the club. "People from all over the area would go to the cafe and hang out in the summer."

Motorcyclists met at the business on Thursdays.

Mayor Clay Larkin said the closure is unfortunate.

"Rob has tried so hard to make it a success," Larkin said. "We're sorry to see it happen and wish Rob the best. I think he has more competition today than when he opened. We'll miss the place because it's been an attraction."

Hot Rod was among the first companies to spur business growth in Post Falls, particularly with eateries, in the late '90s.

"When we said that we'd put the restaurant in Post Falls, people were like, 'Really?', but it was so cool because there wasn't too much here," Elder said.

Elder fought hard for a decade for the construction of an I-90 interchange or overpass on Greensferry Road to increase business in the East Seltice Way corridor, but that project took a blow last summer when the City Council voted to not extend the life of the East Post Falls Urban Renewal District.

"I don't think that was a huge factor (in the cafe's closure), but it's part of the whole package," Elder said of the Greensferry project that didn't come to life. "We need to get people pulled off of the freeway."

Despite the cafe's closure, Elder said he's trying to keep a positive outlook.

"I don't know when it will happen, but I believe good things will come," Elder said. "I really believe there will be opportunities."