ANGOLA, N.Y. -- For 44 years, countless numbers of Western New Yorkers spent summer days on the beach at Mickey Rats. But at the end of the season, the popular beach club will close its doors for good.
"It's a loss. It's like when the Rockpile got torn down and the Aud got torn down. It's a piece of history for this area and now it's going to be gone," said North Tonawanda resident Jake Schaber.
Back in November, Grandview Bay LLC, led by Ellicott Development CEO Bill Paladino, bought the property with hopes to redevelop it.
The group leased the land back to its previous owner and Mickey Rats opened for the summer like it had done for almost half a century. On Monday, management announced that this summer would be the final days for the south town hangout.
"It's going to be tough it's a tough pill to swallow. I live in Angola because of Mickey Rats. I met my wife here. It's a really bitter day at Mickey Rats," said Mickey Rats Manager Wayne Griem.
Paladino would not reveal specifics about the future of the property, but said in a statement:
"Ellicott Development has taken public concerns into consideration, and believe we have developed a plan that best serves the interests of residents and visitors that includes public access to the beach and entertainment. We expect to submit plans to the Town of Evans the last week in September and go before the planning board sometime in October."
While the sun may set on Mickey Rats when the summer comes to a close, management plans to go out with a bang by throwing a farewell party on September 30.