El Ranchero Restaurant, an East Chicago staple for nearly two decades, closed its doors Jan. 11.

But the 4-year-old New Chicago location will remain open, owners said.

Owner Rodolfo Castro blamed the current economic crisis, a changing neighborhood and things "getting too hard" for El Ranchero's demise.

"The customers said they're sorry, but they understand," Castro said. "When things are not going well, you have stress. If I stay here, I'll have a heart attack."

Castro said his children, Rodolfo Castro Jr. and Gina Castro, will continue to run the El Ranchero Restaurant (and bakery) at 3559 Michigan St., New Chicago.

Rodolfo Castro Jr. said his father is officially retired but will stop in every now and then at the newer restaurant "to make sure everything's OK."

"He was just in here this morning," the younger Castro said.

Rodolfo Castro Jr. began working in the kitchen of the East Chicago location when he was 18. Gina Castro started there as a waitress when she was 15 or 16 before manning the register. She continued through college, always helping out during a school break, she said.

"I'll miss a lot of people there," Gina Castro said of the East Chicago location. "We'd have people who moved from the area and make a long drive back to visit."