GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT)- An iconic Gatlinburg motel, right in the heart of downtown, is set to close it's doors after decades of serving guests.

The Midtown Lodge will only be open through New Years. Once guests check out New Year's morning, the doors are shut for good.

The building with the spiral staircase in front and fireplace will be torn down.

Part of the site will become a parking lot, but the rest is unknown.

Ronald McCarter has worked on and off at the motel for more than 50 years, and says Sunday will be bittersweet.

"Gonna be sad. There's a lot of people shedding tears already. A lot of our guests they call, and cry. They wanna know why we're closing"

McCarter says all 135 rooms in the motel are booked for its final night.

50 workers will be losing their jobs.