Watched a local icon die

It stood as an icon in the local community. Directions to drivers often included the phrase, just past Valley RV. If you needed an RV serviced, these people treated you well. I thought always fairly, knowing that owning an RV was also expensive for maintenance and repair, but they never hid anything from you. Not in my experience anyway.
Over the last few months I noticed a change. Instead of the 'free burgers and hot dogs' sign out front, there was a 'for sale' sign. I imagined the sign was for some property down the road from them. A couple of weeks went by and I noticed their back lot was emptying. The economic slow down had set in, so I thought, 'well, reduce inventory until the recovery happens.' Soon the back lot was empty, and their main lot started emptying too. 'Wow, could this really be happening?' A huge business that I remember most of my adult life, is going by the wayside. Did I mention, you did not have to buy anything to get a free burger or hot dog?
We all know RV's are notoriously overpriced like jewelry so sure, they could afford the free food. People enjoyed their visits to Valley RV. Most of the time there were happy shoppers, families looking at their first RV or upgrading to a larger, better rig. Anxious travelers who needed a quick repair. Folks like us in for maintenance. All enjoying the old 60's cafe setting and a free burger and a soda.
The lot is now empty. No one is buying RV's. There is no credit moving, apparently. Valley RV is gone. Not sure if they just closed the doors for the hell of it, went bankrupt (no notices in the paper), or just picked the right time to go. Hope it was the last and the people are all healthy, and financially sound. They did good work. They took care of their community. They took care of travelers, friends, newbies, seasoned owners, basically anyone who passed through their doors.
I hate to see that big empty lot. It is a sign of things to come. Grow food. Store food. Make some allies if you can not do it all yourself. Keep your job as long as possible. But a little something extra each trip to the store, and put it away. Make sure your family is strong. Keep your faith, but don't just hope nothing happens. Take control of surviving now.