Blue Sky Kitchen at 990 Broad St. closed on Tuesday following a New Year's Eve bash billed as its final night of operation. The restaurant opened in 2000. [FILE/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE] ▲

After nearly 19 years in business, downtown Augusta's Blue Sky Kitchen restaurant has closed.

The bar and grill at 990 Broad St. closed its doors following a New Year's Eve bash billed as its final night of operation.

"Unfortunately yes, our staff and patrons are deeply saddened by this," the restaurant replied in a message left through its Facebook page Thursday.

Owner Sae Shin, who purchased the 2,500-square-foot restaurant in 2011 from founders Barry Blackston and Matt Flynn, did not immediately return a message left at his other Broad Street business, Soy Noodle House.

Shin also co-owns Broad Street's 1102 Bar & Grill. An employee who answered the phone there said Shin was at Soy Noodle House.

Blackston and Flynn opened Blue Sky Kitchen in 2000 with a menu featuring Cuban, Korean and American cuisine.

Under Shin's ownership, the popular lunch spot underwent a sports bar-style remodel designed to attract an after-hours crowd. Changes included the installation of pool tables, dart boards, flat-screen televisions and a jukebox.

The restaurant's "Farewell New Year's Eve Bash" promoted food and drink specials as well as a message to patrons: "This is Blue Sky Kitchen's final night of operations. What better way to say farewell than to have the biggest New Year's Eve bash to ring in 2019."

The restaurant's Facebook message reply on Thursday said it was seeking new employment opportunities for displaced workers.

"If you possibly have any resources or information on new restaurants or bars opening, we would love to hear," it said.

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