A passing stranger remarks, “Well, it’s the last meal I’ll eat here again,” as he pays for his meal and walks out the door, cigarette dangling carelessly from his lips.

Judy James, owner and operator of the Cyclone Truck Stop, sighs as she takes his money, then goes back to stocking supplies and rolling silverware for her busy waitresses.

After 38 years of serving truckers and local residents, the Cyclone Truck Stop, 1811 S. Dayton Ave., is finally closing its doors because of stiff competition from the nearby Conoco gas station. But, the day before it closes, the Ames landmark is busy with customers arriving one last time.

Nearly every table and booth is full, as two waitresses hurry by, laden with plates full of eggs, potatoes, pancakes and bottles of syrup.

Kim Johnson, of Ames, stops by to refill coffee and has been working at the truck stop for 14 years.

She says the restaurant feels like a family.

“We know what half of them are gong to order before they order,” she says before hurrying away to greet a family that has just occupied one of her booths.

“Are you going to miss me?” she teases. “Who’s going to be as mean to you as I am?”

Everyone laughs as she takes their drink orders.

Salina Stout, of Huxley, has been working at the truck stop for seven years. She says she doesn’t know where she’s going to work once the restaurant closes.

Johnson has encouraged Stout to work at Hickory Park, 300 S. 17th St., where Johnson says she’ll be able to get jobs for a number of the staff.

The truck stop closes at 6 a.m. Monday, and some of Johnson’s customers ask if she’ll be at the restaurant until then.

“Sure,” she says, laughing a bit.

Kim says the truck stop is open all of the time – even on holidays.

“I always work Christmas – we never close,” she says. “We probably don’t even know where the key is to close,” she jokes.

The Ames Cyclone Truck Stop opened on Jan. 1, 1969. James doesn’t remember opening day because she was working at a now-closed partner truck stop in Des Moines, but she’s been working at the Ames truck stop off and on since it opened.

Johnson said the family appeal of the truck stop restaurant includes all types of people.

“Farmers, blue collar workers, college students,” she said. “We get all types in here.”

She said, however, that they can’t compete with the fuel prices of the Conoco across the street.

“You know, the trucks go over there to fill and up then they come over here to hang out. The station can’t afford to stay open if they aren’t selling fuel,” Johnson said.

Signs hang in various places around the store, they read: “Thank you, it is true, we will be closing on November 26th at 6 a.m. We do this with great sadness as we’ve had a terrific experience serving you for over 38 years.”

Howard and Linda Dutlon said they’ve been coming to the truck stop for the past few decades.

“We’ve spent many holidays here at this truck stop,” Linda said. “This is like an institution here in Ames, it’s such a family.”

Linda said that she likes the fact that the patrons have gotten to know each other as well as the staff over the years.

“It’s wrapping a lot of years up,” James said, fighting back tears.