Some of the hurdles for the restaurant included a zone change, a community-signed petition of approval, a variety of permit types, an environmental impact report and numerous discussions with the San Bernardino County Planning Commission. “It was a big nightmare then and I believe it would be a bigger nightmare if we had to build now.” “After dealing with two years of construction and restriction bologna, we ended up building the store in four months,” David Mount said. Having restaurant experience and some culinary schooling, and living on a large piece of property near Highway 18, the Mounts decided to build a small restaurant in their “front yard.” "I will so miss them and the Burger Depot."Īfter closing the store for the last time, David Mount showed the Daily Press reporter the first dollar the store earned in 1979 and the last dollar they took in on Thursday. "I wish these two the best of luck on life’s next adventure," Lewis said. Lewis said the Mounts, who watched her kids grow up, are like family. "Laura asked my name and she never forgot it after that," Lewis said, "She gave the dogs a hot dog, and my first thought was wow what friendly town and people." Lewis went through the drive-through with her kids, dogs and and horse trailer. Lewis said the Mounts were the first people she met when she moved to Lucerne Valley in 1994. ![]() “After 43 years, it’s hard to say goodbye.”ĭebbie (Lewis) placed the last order of the day in the drive-through -a chocolate milkshake for the youngster and a diet-cherry float for grandma. “Serving our last customer was emotional for me because I watched so many of these kids grow up,” Laura Mount said. “We barely survived back when we were open on weekends.”Īt closing time on Thursday, the couple’s son, David, who came to town to help for the day, flipped two outdoor signs to read “Closed,” placed cones at the drive-through lane and locked the front door. “I think we’d be overwhelmed with customers and I don’t know if we could survive that,” David Mount chuckled. With the Mounts the only ones working at the restaurant, the couple chose not to announce the store’s planned closing date for a good reason. “We appreciate every single one of them, we also consider them part of our family.” “This will allow us to say thank you to the many customers that have supported us through the years,” Laura Mount said. to noon on Saturday at the shuttered Burger Depot at 31337 Hwy. The Mounts will host a farewell get-together from 9 a.m. Laura Mount said part of her future includes spending time with family, gardening, woodworking and taking care of a myriad of fruit trees on the couple’s property. ![]() “It’s crazy to think that back when we opened, I was 27 and Laura was 23,” David Mount said. ![]() The Mounts, who plan to stay in Lucerne Valley and remain active in the community, hope the relationships they’ve established with friends and customers over the years won’t be derailed. We chatted with them and Quincy gave us his autograph.” “Quincy and his chauffeur stopped by and had lunch. “Quincy Jones was out here shooting a video of Smokey Robinson playing the piano on a dry lakeīed,” David Mount said. Over the years, the Mounts have served armies of customers, who included town folk, travelers, delivery drivers and celebrities. “It’s been an exciting adventure and an incredibly wild ride.” ![]() "It has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of the High Desert and Big Bear area, and those passing through,” said David Mount, who opened the store with his wife in Aug. Owners David and Laura Mount told the Daily Press that Thursday was the “end of the line” for the small yet popular train-themed eatery on Highway 18. After nearly four decades in business, the owners of The Burger Depot in Lucerne Valley have flipped their last meat patty and cooked their last french fry.
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