We've been a little sheltered here, in our rapidly growing city, from the realities of the bad economy. I hear of new restaurants opening or being planned all the time. But there are a few out there that just aren't making it. I heard of three that closed in the last week alone. 55 Degrees, on Capitol Mall is apparently closing due to rising costs of doing business (ingredients, primarily) and the fact that many of the high-rise housing units near them haven't opened yet or are abandoned. Angel's Taqueria on 16th St. closed because allegedly a customer fell out of a chair and threatened to sue them. Being a small business, they couldn't afford that, so they closed shop and left town. Then just the other day, I noticed that Central Valley Coffee Co. on Riverside had closed suddenly. The weekend before, their patio was packed with people enjoying the sun and breakfast. What happened there? I'd be surprised if it was lack of business, but profit margins are slim for restaurants even in the best of times.

What other places have shuttered recently? Let me know if you hear of others. If I've reviewed a place that is now closed, I'd like to update my posts for anyone who looks them up in the future.