A downtown Bellingham restaurant owner has decided to close because the economic climate continues to remain uncertain.
Catrina Bremer said she will keep Nona Rosa’s Ristorante open until the end of August, giving customers a chance to use remaining gift certificates and to say good-bye. She plans on making it an upbeat final month, serving many of the Italian restaurant’s signature dishes and possibly having one more porchetta event, where a pig is roasted in the Italian tradition.
“On the one hand it’s been so much fun, but on the other hand it’s been very difficult,” Bremer said about running the restaurant. “We’ve accomplished so many great things, but it’s been a struggle and I didn’t want to get in a situation where I would lose my house.”
Bremer opened the restaurant at 113 E. Magnolia St. (near the Railroad Avenue intersection) in June 2008, a few weeks before the national financial meltdown. At the beginning of 2010 Bremer considered closing the restaurant, but decided to stick it out for a little longer to see if the economy would improve enough.
“We’re just too new a business to keep trying to weather this,” she said.
The restaurant will be open Wednesday through Sunday at 5 p.m. for dinner for the final month. The 2,700-square-foot space is available for lease through Saratoga Commercial Real Estate.
A testament to Catrina Bremer to have managed this long. Bravo for being decisive and moving foward.