Get All Access for $5/mo

Burger King Honors Loyal Customer Who Died After Discovering He Had No Obituary Steve Mercarter visited his local Burger King daily.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Facebook via Syracuse History

There's something to be said about the special, comforting feeling that comes from being a regular at your local spot, whether it's a restaurant, a bar, or in Steve Mercarter's case, the Burger King down the block.

Mercarter visited the fast-food spot nearly every day (some days more than once) for 10 years straight and would always order a burger and a beverage.

When he didn't show up on September 25, manager Sue Spencer knew something was wrong.

Several days later, it was reported by police that a 49-year-old had died tragically in an accident after wandering onto train tracks and being hit by a train.

The man was identified as Steve Mercarter.

Steve's sister told the outlet that her brother struggled with schizophrenia.

Mercarter was a "part of the woodwork" at the local spot and the staff and shift managers felt as though they had to honor the loyal patron the best way they could, especially as there was no obituary written about him.

Next to Steve's usual spot, where he sat for over a decade, the Burger King staff roped off his booth with a red chain and put down a coffee cup, soda cup, a wrapped cheeseburger bun, and flowers to honor their beloved customer.

Above the table, a sign was hung that says "We will miss you Steve. Rest In Peace."

As Mercarter struggled with mental illness, shift manager Tami Clark shared that the staff often cared for him as they would a family member and tried to help him when it seemed as though he was struggling. It was unknown whether or not Steve was homeless or where he was living.

"We let him in, we fed him, we told him when to go home and put warm clothes on," Clark penned on social media. "We told him he shouldn't be out in the bad weather, or at 4:30 in the morning … Steve will never walk through that door again."

Customers who also knew Steve throughout the years left momentos and flowers at his memorial inside the restaurant.

Though manager Spencer told Syracuse.com that the booth likely won't remain that way permanently, to honor Mercarter in any way at all is proof that home really can be anywhere you choose to make it.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Career

Invest in Yourself with a Lifetime of StackSkills Courses for $29.97

Busy schedule? No problem. Learn flexibly with 1,000+ courses at your fingertips.

Business News

These Are the Best Cities for Starting a Business — and Surrounding Yourself With Millionaires

Here are 10 U.S. cities that stand out for entrepreneurship, according to a new report.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Science & Technology

AI for the Underdog — Here's How Small Businesses Can Thrive With Artificial Intelligence

How small businesses can harness the power of AI to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences and drive growth.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.

Marketing

5 Strategies That Helped Me Achieve 10x Returns on My Marketing Efforts

These five marketing tactics have delivered remarkable returns for my business.