East Side Mario's is likely the latest casualty of the economic downturn as the Italian restaurant has suddenly closed its doors, the chairman of the local restaurant association said.
"A business failure is always bad, no matter what sector," Bryce Herman said Tuesday. "You'd like to see everybody continue to be successful in the industry."
Diners who arrived at the restaurant in Aberdeen Mall on Sunday night found the doors locked with a sign thanking people for their patronage.
"This location is closed," the sign read.
Ken White had phoned the restaurant on Saturday inquiring if it would be open. His daughter told him she read on Facebook that it was closing and White wanted to use up $125 in gift certificates.