BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A culinary staple of downtown Bellingham will be shutting their doors for good in the near future.

Bayou On Bay said in an announcement on Facebook that they’ll be ending things with a bang on March 4 with a Mardi Gras celebration. Owner Steve Crosier said that with their lease nearly up and costs continuing to rise, he felt it was the best time to move on and retire.

“Deciding to close hasn’t been easy. This place has given me purpose and filled my life with so many unforgettable moments. But as my daughters have lovingly reminded me, change is part of life’s journey,” Crosier said.

Bayou opened on the corner of Bay St. in 2007 and has been serving Cajun and Creole staples ever since.

Crosier added that they plan on bringing back fan favorites to the menu in the coming weeks as a final thank you to their customers.