Photo by Derek Redd The Hardee’s on National Road has closed its doors after franchise owners decided against signing another long-term lease for the building. A hamburger restaurant had stood at that site since 1962.

WHEELING — Burgers have been flipped in the same spot on National Road in Woodsdale for close to six decades. Over the weekend, though, those grills went cold.

The Hardee’s on National Road in Wheeling closed over the weekend. On Monday morning, franchise owner Bob Bodzenski was directing workers as they broke down equipment for sale.

Bodzenski and business partner Graham Davis took over the franchise in 2005. Their lease came up this month, and Bodzenski said the building’s owner had asked them to sign a long-term lease.

At 70 years old, Bodzenski said he wasn’t looking to stay on as long as the proposed lease. While he was ready to move on, he said leaving the National Road site was bittersweet.

“You get to knowing customers coming in every day,” Bodzenski said, “but we really had no options. It was time for us, personally.”

A burger restaurant had stood in that Woodsdale spot since 1962, Bodzenski said. It started as a Burger Chef before becoming a Hardee’s in the 1980s. It long had been a spot for students to hang out and for late night crowds to congregate for a burger or some french fries.

He’ll leave with fond memories of longtime customers and employees. One, Bodzenski said, had worked at the restaurant for 44 years. There were 24 employees at the restaurant, including management.

Those workers found out this past week that it was closing, but Bodzenski said the other businesses along National Road and elsewhere have been great in talking to them about jobs with them.

“There have been a lot of people up and down the strip that already have been in here talking to them,” he said. “They need employees, too. I met the owner of (local) McDonald’s today and he said to tell any employees that they’re hiring.”

Bodzenski said he did not know what the future held for the building in which the Hardee’s stood. Dr. George Beneke, who Bodzenski said owned the building and parking lot, could not be reached for comment Monday.