With its monster trucks and giant dinosaur replicas, it's hard to miss Le Madrid rest stop.
At Exit 202 along Highway 20 between Montreal to Quebec City, the sprawling red-and-white building, complete with a restaurant, hotel, gas station and depanneur has become a traditional place for many families to make a pit stop.
But come fall, the landmark, like the dinosaurs adorning it, will become extinct in its current form. The family-owned business has been sold to Quebec developed Immostar.
The restaurant will be demolished to make way for a more modern rest area.
"We are very popular, we are always full...but (it's) a lot of work," said owner Julie Arel, who began waitressing at Le Madrid at age 13 and took over the family business in her late 20s in 2002. The restaurant has been owned by her family since 1987.
Working six days a week, the mother of two is now giving up what's been a big part of her life so she can spend more time with her family.
"I am never at home for Christmas holidays, that's why I decide to take time with my family and to do something else," said Arel, who said it took three years of convincing before she mad the difficult decision.
Developers said the name "Le Madrid" will stay – and so will some of the dinosaurs – but for regulars like Henri Pitre, it won't be quite the same.
"When you're used to a place, it's hard to change," said Pitre, a retired truck driver, who has been frequenting in rest stop since 1973, when he was 17 years old.
Change is coming soon.
Demolition begins by Labour Day, and the new restaurant aims to open by next spring.
