SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Asti Caffe, a popular restaurant on North Salina Street, has shut down after 18 years in business.

After customers called and emailed the Your Stories team, restaurant founder and former owner John Tumino confirmed his family’s decision to NewsChannel 9.

When Tumino opened the restaurant on North Salina Street in 2001, it was the first venture in what would be called the gateway to “Little Italy” on the city’s north side. Since, other restaurants and businesses have followed Asti’s lead.

John Tumino was later joined by his brothers, Christian and Richard, as business partners.

John left the business to open “In My Father’s Kitchen,” an organization that reaches out to homeless people in Syracuse, makes them lunches, and raises money by making and selling its own sauce.

Christian Tumino also previously left the business, leaving it in Richard’s hands until it closed on June 30th.

John Tumino, speaking for his brother, says as years went on, the restaurant became more of a burden than a blessing.

Because Tumino’s brother was the last to manage the restaurant, John couldn’t answer what happens to customers with unused gift cards.