KITCHENER — The McDonald's restaurant in the Market Square building in downtown Kitchener will be closing in the new year.

Owner Mark MacSporran confirmed the food court outlet will close Jan. 31 in a statement issued by McDonald's Restaurants of Canada.

In the statement, MacSporran thanked his customers and the community for their support.

"My focus right now is on my employees. I'm making every effort to ensure that each of them has the support they need and have offered them the opportunity to relocate to my other restaurants," he said.

No reason was given for the closing. The outlet has been located in the former mall at King and Frederick streets for about 15 years.

A larger McDonald's restaurant located at King Street West north of Victoria Street closed in October.

The closing will leave just three of seven spaces occupied in the Market Square food court.

Another retailer in the building, Athletic Direct, is closing at the end of December. Engineering and design firm Stantec plans to move to Waterloo from its basement offices in Market Square in February.

The former mall now largely houses offices and other services, including a Service Canada centre, Trios College, GoodLife Fitness, Nordia and the Waterloo Region Record.