After close to 85 years in business, The Rosa Restaurant permanently closed its doors on Sunday, Jan. 8. The downtown Portsmouth business was an anchor of the local dining scene long before the Port City became a regional restaurant hub.

Ralph Rosa opened the Italian restaurant on Dec. 22, 1927, just a few years after the nearby Memorial Bridge was completed. It closed for a few months during the Great Depression but thrived again after prohibition ended.

Joe Hunt bought the restaurant in 1981 and has owned it ever since with his wife, Pamela. They renovated the building, added two more dining areas, purchased a private parking lot across the street and expanded the menu.

But The Rosa has faced several challenges over the last few years, including the sluggish economy, 18 months of construction on State Street and repeated temporary closures to Memorial Bridge, which has now closed permanently.

The 8,738-square-foot commercial property is currently listed for sale by Samonas Realty at a price of $2 million.