A “No Trespass” and a “Sorry, We’re closed” sign greeted any potential customers at the door.

“Closed” signs were taped to the drive-through microphone and parking lot entrance signs. Traffic cones prevented driving into the lot where several trucks and an enclosed trailer were parked as people appeared to be removing equipment from the interior.

None of that came as any surprise to Katlyn Foster, of Fort Dodge. She worked as a team member in the restaurant.

“Last night I was working,” she said. “About 9:30 we were told we’re closing.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
The Fort Dodge Taco John’s at 2949 Fifth Ave. S. appears to have closed for business Thursday. A “Closed” sign on the drive-thru microphone was among several posted at the site.

She said she was able to pick up her paycheck Thursday morning. She’s not sure if she’ll get her last check.

Foster has worked at the restaurant on three separate occasions, she said.

The stint that ended Wednesday night only lasted a week and a half.

“This time they closed,” she said.

She said about 10 people worked there with her. She’s one of the lucky ones, she has another job.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
The Fort Dodge Taco John’s at 2949 Fifth Ave. S. appears to have closed for business Thursday. “Closed” and a “No Trespass” signs were posted and a crew was loading equipment into a trailer.

“I was lucky enough to have a second job,” she said. “I can go back to that.”

She’s going to miss her co-workers.

“We’re all friends,” she said.

She’s angry that there wasn’t more notice. She said it’s been common knowledge within the store that owners have been trying to sell the business.

“It was rude that they didn’t tell us,” she said. “We might have had time to find a fallback.”

Property tax documents list the restaurant as being owned by Lloyd III Inc., of Le Mars. Property tax payments are up to date.

Phone calls to Taco John’s corporate headquarters in Cheyenne, Wyoming, were not returned.

The locally listed number was not answered and there were no changes or updates to the restaurant’s Facebook page as of Thursday afternoon.