The Station Grille Restaurant has closed it doors due to what its owner says is a severe downturn in business.

During its 15 years in business, the popular restaurant on South Carson Street traditionally shuts down for the month of January, but this year’s hard economic times caused it to close after Saturday’s dinner shift.

Owner Clark Russell said in a press release they “have no specific plans for the future other than to hope our economy improves significantly by late January when our State Legislature convenes in Carson City.”

“It breaks my heart,” said Carole Conklin, who has managed the restaurant since it opened in 1993. “It’s like losing my child.”

Conklin said she is hopeful that business in Carson City will turn around enough to reopen, but that they are going through the same troubles as other restaurants.

“We were the first victim of the economy, but probably not the last,” she said. “Everybody I talked to is down considerably, cutting staff and reducing hours.”

Russell said some of the employees of the restaurant will be absorbed into his Station Casino operation across the street, but that nine or 10 employees may be laid off.

“That was the hard part, telling the employees,” Conklin said.

Conklin has taken over management duties of the Carson Station restaurant, after the former manager retired last month. She said she hopes to see the Station Grille customers across the street.

“But I will miss the food,” she said.