BELLEVILLE, Illinois — A restaurant has closed after more than 50 years at a popular Catholic site in southwestern Illinois.
Management cited the impact of the coronavirus.
The Shrine Restaurant & Banquet Center in Belleville was in the visitor center at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, a Catholic retreat affiliated with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate religious order.
St. Lorenzo’s Hospitality, a company that managed the restaurant, made the announcement online, the Belleville News-Democrat reported Monday.
“In an effort to remain healthy/safe and be in compliance with state regulations in place, the COVID-19 limitations for restaurants and banquet centers have had a detrimental effect on our financial stability,” the company said.
The restaurant had reopened for indoor dining on June 26 when Gov. J.B. Pritzker lifted some virus-related restrictions.
In December, St. Lorenzo’s told the News-Democrat that it had spent $70,000 on renovations, including new carpet, tables and chairs.