BENTON CITY -- Bella, a Benton City Italian bistro and wine bar, will be closing on Sept. 30.

"It was a tough decision to make. We've really struggled with it," said co-owner Tracy Tudor of Grandview. Valerie Brown of Benton City also owns the restaurant.

"Our restaurant is so small we could only afford to pay one employee so it meant we were here all the time. It's just too much for us at our age. We both want to retire and start to travel," she said.

"We've enjoyed our three-year run and will miss our customers and friends. It's sad to go. But wine tourism is down and we were really counting on that to take us through the summer," Tudor said. "It's just a result of the economy. It's time for us to move on."

Tudor and Brown have booked some private parties into October but will not be open to the public.

The business is for sale.