An Italian restaurant that breathed new life into downtown Bakersfield with its debut almost 31 years ago has permanently closed.

Uricchio’s Trattoria, known as much for its welcoming atmosphere as its chicken piccata and sand dabs, announced in July it was taking a summer vacation. Then, on Monday, it posted on social media that it won’t reopen, citing “hurdles we could not overcome.”

“We are sad, but ever so grateful to all of you who supported us through the years,” read a note posted by “The Uricchio Family.”

Longtime customers expressed sadness along with thanks for good times and great food.

“To say we are heartbroken is an understatement, yet it is combined with gratitude and appreciation for the sweet memories you have given us over the years,” fan Denise Pennell commented on Facebook.

She added that Uricchio’s became the “go to” place to bring visitors because of its ambiance, quality menu items, wonderful service “and family spirit that (founder Nick Uricchio) created and that you continued for 30 years.”

Nick Uricchio was credited, only half-jokingly, with bringing class to Bakersfield when he opened the restaurant in 1995 at the northwest corner of 17th and K streets. For decades he oversaw the operation while seated at the end of the bar.

A seasoned restaurateur who had operated three restaurants in his home state of Connecticut, Uricchio managed food and beverages at the Beverly Hilton Hotel before taking over the kitchen at the Friars Club of Beverly Hills in 1985. His family reported in 2014 he died while watching NFL football after suffering from Parkinson’s disease and respiratory problems.

Uricchio’s daughter, Claire Porter, said by phone Monday that a variety of pressures contributed to the closure decision. She hesitated to discuss them, saying she’s still dealing with some of them, but noted she was ready to retire two years ago.

Running the restaurant became more difficult after the COVID-19 pandemic, Porter said, and it only became tougher after illness prompted the departure of Uricchio’s longtime chef. She said changes were in order even as there was less and less inclination to make them.

“I looked forward to being home more than I looked forward to being at work,” Porter said. She added, “I feel like we had our moment in the sun and it was time” to close.

Uricchio’s long ago established itself as a favorite location for business lunches in Bakersfield. When it opened, though, it gained attention for almost revolutionizing nightlife downtown.

At the time, there was little to keep business people in the area after 6 p.m. Uricchio’s changed that by offering a kind of party atmosphere that changed attitudes about spending time downtown after dark.

Porter said her father considered locations in west Bakersfield but settled on 17th and K, where nearby property owners helped out by opening their parking lots to use by Uricchio’s customers.

“We were the new guys in town, and I think Dad just had a lot of faith,” she said.

Customer Corey Gonzales commented on Monday’s Facebook post, calling Uricchio’s “truly one of Bakersfield’s iconic restaurants.”

“Whenever I had friends or family visiting from out of down, Uricchio’s was always one of the places I wanted to take them,” he wrote. “When you walked through the doors, you felt like you were in a metropolitan city. The family service, personal attention and amazing food made it such a special place.”

Melissa Newton posted a comment about bringing her young daughter to the restaurant decades ago. She noted the girl had just received a “very fancy faux fur coat” and so it was time for the two of them to go on a date.

“I will never forget the gracious care and service we received,” Newton wrote. “My daughter is 36 now and that memory is still so vivid. What a great restaurant!”