Roma Caffé, long an Italian food institution on the northwest side, has closed.
In a posting on its website, Roma's owners cited the economy as a leading reason for closing after 27 years in business. It did not say when the restaurant closed, and fellow tenants of the Old Pueblo Plaza at West Ina and North Oldfather roads were unaware the restaurant had closed.
"Unfortunately, the economy, not only in Tucson, but everywhere, has been affecting local businesses and has hit Roma Caffé," the note on the website read. "It is so important to support your local stores and restaurants. The culture and life of Tucson can not thrive without it."
Roma Caffé was owned by Gino Marinelli, who took it over from the original owner, Rosa Holland. Marinelli's mother, Carmela Marinelli, who inspired her son to cook, worked in the restaurant until her death last year.
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For years, Roma was the lone fine Italian restaurant along the growing Ina Road corridor. In the past several years, it has faced a slew of competition, including from the Italian buffet restaurant Contessa across the street, and from a pair of restaurants in the Foothills Mall area - the chain outfit Romano's Macaroni Grill and Gavi's, a fine Italian eatery that closed its location there in the past year.
Marinelli couldn't be reached Monday for comment.
Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at 573-4642 or cburch@azstarnet.com