(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The owners of Luigi’s, a beloved Italian staple in Colorado Springs, announced the restaurant’s recent closure after 67 years in business.

A note from the owners, which is listed on the website and titled ‘With Gratitude and Farewell from Luigi’s,’ explained the reason for closing.

“We don’t HAVE to close, we want to close,” the note read. “There’s no sinister reason, it’s just a quality of life decision. Les and I [Gina] want to enjoy a “normal” life before we get too old to do so.” The owners further explained that they look forward to spending more time with friends and family while also spending more time at home.

Luigi’s, located south of downtown at 947 South Tejon Street, “is one of the oldest continuously family-owned and operated restaurants in Colorado Springs.” According to the website, Leo and Anne Cervetti opened Luigi’s in 1958 in a small building on Mill Street and Nevada before moving into its current location on Tejon Street in 1966.

“We didn’t publicize our closing, but instead, offered our last week to our loyal, longtime regulars,” the note continued. “We did our best to notify all of them, and we’re sorry if we missed anyone. It was not intentional. Our regulars knew that closing was something we’ve been working toward for the last few years.”

When Luigi’s first opened, they only had a few tables and menu items including spaghetti, lasagna, and pizza, according to its website, serving “soldiers, young families and working-class folks in the neighborhood.” Fast-forward 67 years and the recipes are largely the same.

We thank my parents, my sisters, and our extended family who worked to establish the business. We thank our loyal, longtime employees, past and present. We especially thank our customers for their continued support during good times and bad. We thank visitors to the Pikes Peak region who returned year after year.

Luigi’s owners

According to the owners, they have sold the building but the business is still on the market. “Hopefully, one day, Luigi’s will rise again with new owners who will love it as much as our family has loved it. Until then, Grazi, and Arrivederci!”