EudoraNews.com

After nearly a year and a half of providing Eudora with German cuisine mixed in with American standards, Maria's Restaurant is shutting down for good.

Tom England, co-owner and husband to the store's namesake, said Maria's poor health was behind the shutdown. She was co-owner and cooked at the restaurant, which opened Oct. 1, 1999. The restaurant closed its doors on March 4.

"It's just too much," England said of his wife's struggle to fight illness and keep the business alive.

England said he and Maria had discussed the restaurant's future over the past two weeks, but determined it wasn't feasible to keep it open. Last week, England, family members and some employees packed items for an auction. The auction date has not been set.

England said the decision was a sad one, not only because the restaurant was closing, but also because his wife was ill.

"It's tough," he said. "She's used to being up and doing things. When she can't, it just makes it that much harder."

Maria is a German-born immigrant and came to America in 1957 at age 23. She first lived in Linwood and then moved to DeSoto, where she has lived for more than 40 years. Maria's Restaurant moved to Eudora in 1999 after 18 years in DeSoto.