MISSOULA — A Missoula cafe and eatery will be closing its doors for the winter.
The Caffe Dolce location on Brooks Street will shut down for the winter this weekend.
Owner Peter Lambros says they hope to reopen with patio seating earlier in the spring than normal, weather permitting, but have no set time.
Lambros says this is a painful decision, but ultimately the best thing the restaurant can do to play a positive role in the community right now.
He added the impact will be mostly felt by his employees but based on customer feedback; he believes this is the right move to make.
"I think there is a collective caution out there, given the data at the moment. Whether people are personally worried about getting covid or not, I sense a sense of community responsibility, that if we're all playing it a bit safer, we might leave some of those hospital beds free for someone who needs them, and I get that."
Lambros says people love coming into Caffe Dolce for the atmosphere and people, and that's why offering take out is not their best option.
The last day of service will be on Saturday, Nov. 14.
- information from Eric Gaylord, Katie Miller and Mark Thorsell included in this report.
