Rita's Italian Ice & Custard has closed its doors, but the owners are hoping to find a buyer who might resurrect the store.
Mike Malone, who owns the shop along with his wife Elynn, said the last day for the business at 8222 Holdrege St. was Sunday.
The couple had originally planned to close down for the winter, which Malone said many of the Rita's locations in other parts of the country do, but after thinking about it more, they decided to close for good.
He said the business is not doing as well as they'd like it to, and they also have become full-time owners and managers, which was not their original plan when the store opened in July 2015.
Malone said he and his wife will continue to pay rent on the space for a few months while they look for a buyer. If one can't be found, however, they will close for good.
"I'd love to see Rita's stay open," Malone said.
The Holdrege location had been only one in Nebraska until a location at the Nebraska Crossing Outlets in Gretna opened in August.
Malone said the couple have area development rights for Rita's in Nebraska and will continue to look for franchisees to open new locations.
Restaurants that closed in 2018
Lincoln restaurants that closed in 2018
Schlotzsky's
Lincoln's last Schlotzsky's closed its doors at the beginning of February.
DAVID WELCH, Courtesy photo
Oklahoma Joe's
Oklahoma Joe's closed its Haymarket location after less that 6 months in business in January.Â
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Wahoo's Fish Tacos
Wahoo's Fish Tacos closed in January.
Journal Star File Photo
Hickory Road BBQ
Hickory Road BBQ & Catering Co. closed in February.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star file photo
Flapjacks American Diner
Flapjacks American Diner, shown here in January, closed in March and its owner is being sued by the landlord of the space at 230 N. 12th St.
ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star file photo
Cowboy Chicken
Cowboy Chicken at 27th and Pine Lake closed in late October.
Journal Star file photo
Chocolatier Blue
Chocolatier Blue at 70th and Pioneers closed early in 2018.
Courtesy photo
Tanner's
A sign on the door at Tanner's Bar & Grill at 6940 A St. announces its closure in March.
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Capriotti's Sandwich Shop
Capriotti's Sandwich Shop's only remaining Lincoln location at 5609 S. 27th St. closed in August.
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Rita's
Rita's Italian Ice & Custard closed at 8222 Holdrege St. in October.
Rita's Facebook page
Greta's Gourmet
Kevin Mandigo of Greta's Gourmet fulfills a catering order for the Lied Center in 2015. Mandigo closed Greta's on Jan. 8, citing slow business and personal reasons.
FRANCIS GARDLER/Journal Star file photo
Shivers
Shivers Sweets N Treats in Indian Village announced plans to close on Dec. 2.
Shivers Facebook page
Misty's
Misty's just south of 40th and Old Cheney closed in August.
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BW3
The Buffalo Wild Wings near 27th and Pine Lake Road closed at the beginning of August.
Lancaster County Assessor's Office
Village Inn
The Village Inn at 29th and O streets, shown here in 2010 before it was remodeled, closed in early February.
Journal Star file photo
Perkins
A sign on the door at the Perkins location near the airport in January said it is permanently closed. At the end of April, the 48th and O location closed.
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Subway
Subway closed its location at 70th and Havelock this year.
Courtesy photo
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Five Guys Burgers and Fries in downtown Lincoln was closing Nov. 1.
GWYNETH ROBERTS/Lincoln Journal Star file photo
Jimmy's Egg
Jimmy's Egg opened its first Lincoln location at 6440 O St. in September 2015. That location closed Nov. 14.
Journal Star file photo
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