COPPERAS COVE (October 1, 2009)--After 40 years in business, Cove Ford, in Copperas Cove is no more.

The dealership quietly closed its doors for good on Wednesday.

"I think everybody's still just very surprised,” said Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce Vice President Betty Price.

“Why? That seems to be the question. Was their decision? Was it a corporate decision?” she said.

"Cove Ford has been a part of our community for 40 years and it was kind of an icon for our city and it will be sorely missed." said Price.

Some residents were asking the same question.

"I would like to know why,” Daisy Rivera said.

"I never expected this one to close," she said.

A note on the door said the dealership is closing voluntarily and cited the struggling economy, but a manager declined to give an exact reason for the closing, citing a confidentiality clause in an agreement with the Ford Motor Co.

"We sat down with Ford and we agreed, it's probably the best thing to do, because of the economy. It was a mutual agreement," General Sales Manager Richard Love said Thursday.

"I’m very sad about the whole situation, especially for our employees," he said

"It’s devastating. I pray and hope that our staff find jobs,” he said.