After four years of operation, a Nov. 20 auction will bring the official end to the Iron Skillet Restaurant, which shuttered its doors to customers in mid-October.

Realtor Jim Bullington, who is handling the auction, said the owner, David Towell, plans to retire.

&#8220His partner left and he didn’t have anybody to share the responsibilities,” Bullington said. Towell could not be reached for comment.

State incorporation documents show Robert Dawson as Towell’s partner.

Bullington said Dawson left Towell with the task of running the restaurant two years ago.

&#8220He’s downsizing and is not going be in business for himself anymore,” Bullington said. &#8220He just decided to liquidate all of the restaurant and all of the equipment.”

According to Bullington, Towell has been in business for more than 30 years.

Prior to the location at 175 Iron Skillet Court, which is near Cracker Barrel, Yuki’s Japanese restaurant, Culvers and other eateries, an Iron Skillet was near the airport for more than 25 years, Bullington said.

Chris Bixler, consultant and training coordinator for the Western Kentucky University Small Business Development Center, said losing a partnership in any business venture is common, but it’s important to ask for help or find someone to replace the person or people who contribute to a business.

&#8220It’s a great responsibility for just one person. And often one person cannot handle management of a restaurant,” Bixler said. &#8220Something as large as Iron Skillet would be difficult to manage and run with one person.”

Bixler said the restaurant’s closing means a loss of jobs, since the restaurant had a large staff.

&#8220It’s unfortunate he didn’t find another investor to take over, or another investor to help him manage. You just do things one day at a time and pray that things will get better.”

The gourmet restaurant equipment as well as all the furniture and fixtures will be auctioned.

A 35-foot tall, 200-square-foot sign on Scottsville Road will be sold separately.

The restaurant sits on a little more than an acre of land that is zoned highway business.

The restaurant faces Duval Court and Iron Skillet Court off Scottsville Road.

The building includes a vestibule, lounge, two large dining areas, deli/country store, kitchen and prep areas with two walk-in coolers/freezers.

The interior has two five-fixture restrooms and one two-fixture restroom.

Bullington says more than 2,000 hotel rooms are served by the Interstate 65 interchange near the restaurant.

&#8220The location was great. Every restaurant in that area is doing great,” Bullington said.

Several restaurant franchises are looking at buying Iron Skillet, according to Bullington.

&#8220We feel really good about getting someone else in there,” he said.

Bullington said the closing of Iron Skillet is not a reflection on the area’s viability for restaurants, but rather a result of the owner’s circumstance.

&#8220I think it’s important to understand that it was a health issue (for Towell) and a matter of time. The restaurant business is extremely strong in Bowling Green.”

Bullington hopes to see a new eatery in that area soon.

&#8220Hopefully that location will be back within a month.”