ALAMOSA — The Bistro Rialto in downtown Alamosa will be permanently closing on January 1st, 2019.

In an announcement released on Facebook from owners Kent and Sandy Holtcamp, the reasons given for the closure were “Due to the present economy and Sandy’s battle with cancer since June 2017.”

The decision was a very difficult one for all involved. Kyle McDonald, manager of the restaurant, noted that the announcement has been met with a great deal of sympathy from the entire community. “Obviously we all don’t want to see it go,” he said.

The consensus is that it will be better for the Holtcamps to not have to deal with the responsibilities that come with the daily operations of the restaurant. It will be the end of a 15-year business that began as the Pizza Den and Pasta and eventually became the Bistro when the old Rialto Theatre on Main Street became available.

The restaurant has been an instrumental piece of the improvements that have come to downtown Alamosa.

The Holtcamps are grateful to all of the loyal customers and those who have worked for and alongside of them.