The Luby’s cafeteria on New Road has closed, putting nearly 40 employees out of work.

Luby’s moved to that location, near Wal-Mart, in 2000. It previously had operated in the shopping center at Bosque Boulevard and North Valley Mills Drive.

“This was such a difficult decision for us. We’ve been in that market for many, many years, I’m happy to say. But with the economy the way it is, every business is looking at operations,” said Laurie Shults, a spokeswoman for Houston-based Luby’s, commenting on last week’s closing.

“We’re trying to position our organization for growth in the future,” she added. “And it was no longer viable to have two locations in that area. We hope our customers will visit us at our Bellmead location.”

The Bellmead Luby’s does business at 951 North Loop 340.

Shults said Luby’s will offer employment at other locations to those losing their jobs in Waco.

Phil Adkins, who owns local Shipley Do-Nuts locations and is active in the Waco Restaurant Association, said he has had concerns about the future of the Luby’s on New Road.

He said he felt the cafeteria “was weak in certain areas,” considering the price of food there.

“It was difficult to get into and out of that shopping center, especially for customers who make up Luby’s core demographics,” said Adkins, adding that older patrons may have found it difficult to navigate the left turn into the shopping center with northbound New Road traffic bearing down on them.

Shults said Luby’s will be looking for a buyer for the building it is leaving vacant.

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

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