POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) — A central Ohio mom-and-pop Italian restaurant with roots dating to the 1970s is permanently closing this weekend.

Monte Carlo Italian Kitchen at 345 W. Olentangy St. is welcoming customers for the last time on Friday after many years serving the Westerville and Powell communities. The restaurant said on social media that the decision to close hasn’t been easy but that they will “cherish the support of our wonderful customers, the dedication of our incredible employees, and the spirit of the communities that welcomed us.”

“We will miss making the sauce, the meatballs, and all your traditional Italian favorites that brought comfort and joy to your tables,” the post said. “Thank you for supporting our small, mom-and-pop Italian restaurant — through COVID, through the ups and downs, and through all the years.”

Monte Carlo’s central Ohio history spans several decades, beginning with the original eatery that opened at 6333 Cleveland Ave. in 1979 under the name “Monte Carlo Ristorante.” That location closed in the late ’90s but was reincarnated shortly after with a new restaurant at 610 Schrock Road in Westerville.

The eatery’s ownership changed over the years, but the menu stayed the same, offering a vast selection of house-made Italian pastas and specials, pizza, sandwiches, soups and salads. Monte Carlo then expanded with a second central Ohio location, the Olentangy Street restaurant, in 2018.

The Schrock Road location recently shuttered within the past couple of years, although a closure announcement was never made. While the exact closing date wasn’t immediately known, the restaurant last posted to social media in November 2023. The post includes several comments from customers who wrote they were loyal patrons for years.

Now, Monte Carlo is encouraging locals to come by “for one final night of food, music, and friends.” The restaurant is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday.

“We aren’t sure yet what the future holds, but we do know that this journey has been unforgettable,” the eatery said. “Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.”