CLAYCOMO, Mo. - Once Ford puts the brakes on production, area businesses could feel the pinch.
Nelle Belle's serves dozens of Ford employees every day. During the early morning hours, the diner is often times wall-to-wall Ford.
But when the plant closes down temporarily for three weeks between now and December, the owner expects to see a 20 percent drop in business.
"We open at three in the morning that's when the guys normally come up. We won't be nearly as busy," said Nelle Belle's owner, Dixie Edwards.
Dixie's concerned by the news and so are her customers.
"It's a tiny place here, it's like a family. So when they have problems why we know about it. It affects everybody that comes in here."
Ford maintenance worker George Gibson was laid off by the company twice before. He's not concerned yet.
"I can take a few weeks of less money and do just fine," said Gibson.
But if loses his job again, he'll suffer. Gibson can't afford to retire.
"There are no jobs to replace this. At least a lot fewer than there used to be."
Dixie will hold on as long as she can. After all, her customers come first.
