FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - A popular restaurant in northeast Fresno has permanently closed after 12 years, according to the owners. Starving Artists Bistro announced on social media late Monday evening that the restaurant at 9447 N Fort Washington Road, near the intersection of Fort Washington Road and Friant Road in northeast Fresno, has closed. Guitars worth $15,000 stolen from Fresno's 'Starving Artists' restaurant The closure was not announced ahead of time. The restaurant confirmed on social media that Sunday, Sept. 30, was their last day of operations. "We understand that our valued customers and artists will be surprised by the unexpected nature of this closure. There is never a good time to say goodbye (for a number of private reasons) we have chosen to close quickly and quietly." In the closing message posted by Starving Artists Bistro, the restaurant said that they struggled and rallied during the COVID-19 pandemic - but since then, "the rules, regulations and laws that have been imposed on the restaurant industry" as well as "inflation and continuing food and staff shortages" have forced the business' closure. "We simply cannot maintain the quality of food and service our customers rightfully expect." Starving Artists Bistro The owners end the message by saying that they will "miss every single one of our supporters."