Beloved restaurant and Chipotle rival closes doors after almost three decades leaving fans distraught

A POPULAR Mexican restaurant has closed after nearly 30 years in business, leaving fans heartbroken.

Alvarez Restaurant in Cherry Valley, Illinois closed its doors for the last time on March 25.

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The popular restaurant, a Chipotle rival, has served the local community for 28 years.

But bosses said, “After much deliberation, we decided to focus on other ventures.”

Hundreds of fans online have mourned the restaurant’s closure.

Cathy Bader lamented the shutdown, writing on Facebook: “Very sorry to hear that. So many memories and great times with friends.

Kendra Beebe-Mackey described the closure as a “huge loss” to the area.

Devastated guests have likened the closure to “losing a friend”.

Peter Thomas said: So saddened to hear this. We will miss the amazing people who made us feel like family. It feels like losing a dear friend. Painful.”

The restaurant sector has struggled with rising costs in recent years amid record high inflation and supply chain disruption during the Covid pandemic.

And big brands like Red Lobster and Steak n Shake have made the difficult decision to close several stores.

Red Lobster’s San Jose, California restaurant closed permanently earlier this month after 39 years of trading.

The renowned chain still has a presence in the city as their restaurant on Aborn Road is still operational.

In January, the Chiefs decided to close a Red Lobster restaurant in Beachwood, Ohio.

The restaurant has served Americans for more than 45 years but reportedly underperformed compared to other branches.

Last December, a Red Lobster location in San Angelo, Texas closed after 38 years in business.

According to Red Lobster, the closures are a normal part of the process and growth path.

Last summer, the chain’s Roanoke, Va., restaurant closed permanently after more than 43 years of operation, according to local NBC affiliate WSLS-TV.

And Steak n Shake closed 30 of its U.S. restaurants in 2022 — just a year after it avoided bankruptcy.

The US Sun reported how pizza giant Papa Murphy’s closed 72 of its stores last year due to poor performance.

But independent restaurants are also closing their shops.

Popular Italian eatery Angeloni’s II Restaurant and Lounge in Atlantic City, New Jersey is closing April 30 after more than 40 years of operation.

At least 1,400 stores will close nationwide this year as the phenomenon known as the retail apocalypse continues to grip the sector, according to a tally compiled by Insider.

It comes after retailers closed 12,000 stores in 2020 and over 9,300 stores went out of business in 2019, according to The Week.

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