After 21 years of offering Mexican food and mechanical pepper rides, La Perla, 734 S. 5th St., will close on Saturday, July 16.

La Perla plans to continue its brand with a line of food products to be sold in specialty grocery stores.

According to co-owner JoAnne Anton, the decision came from a combination of factors, including that 5th Street is undergoing a major street construction project that is scheduled to last at least four months and will remove 75 percent of street parking to accommodate wider sidewalks.

"Those developments, along with eager new owners, more than convinced us that this is the right decision at the right time," says Anton.

La Perla opened in 1995 with just 10 tables and later expanded to occupy three buildings and two outdoor patios.

On Saturday, customers are invited to stop by to say "adios" and enjoy complimentary tequila while supplies last.

"We are super proud of what we accomplished in Walker’s Point and super excited to now enjoy our neighborhood more as residents and customers," says Anton.

Stay tuned to OnMilwaukee for the scoop about the incoming restaurant soon.