After 20 years anchoring the corner of Walnut Gardens Shopping Center in Boulder, Casa Alvarez closed its doors this week, surprising the Mexican restaurant’s customers and neighbors.

“Thank you Boulder for all the love and support,” the restaurant posted on its Facebook page on Sunday. “It comes with a heavy heart, but our doors are closed. Look for our award winning chili coming soon to a store near you. CHEERS!”

No reason was given for the closure, and the chef and owner of the Casa Alvarez, Ernesto Alvarez, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

The property owner, W.W. Reynolds Companies, has listed the 8,386-square-foot space at 3161 Walnut St. as “available immediately,” at an estimated leasing value of $6.73 per square foot.

During lunch hour Tuesday, several people found themselves disappointed and hungry outside the restaurant when they were greeted by a handwritten sign on the door informing them of the closure.

“We were just here last week,” said Carol Gores, who had planned to meet some friends at the restaurant for lunch. “I’m shocked.”

Gores’ friend Holly Widdowfield said she would often go to Casa Alvarez when she came into town from her home just outside Nederland.

“The service was always really good, the food was always really good, the owners were wonderful,” Widdowfield said. “I’m very disappointed.”

Bryan Edwards also planned to eat at Casa Alvarez on Tuesday before finding the restaurant closed.

“I liked the food, liked the people,” Edwards said. “Over the long term, it was very consistent. They always treated you well. You never had to wonder. You never had to worry.”

The shuttering of Casa Alvarez coincides with the pending departure of hip resale Boulder, though owner Debbie Foss said the closure of her consignment store was a personal decision and unrelated to the restaurant shutting down.

But the two closures will leave a large hole at the corner of the Walnut Gardens Shopping Center.

Jeff Evans, a salesperson at Boulder Piano Gallery, said that while the gallery didn’t necessarily benefit from the heavier foot traffic, Casa Alvarez did help keep the area bustling.

“It’s great to be in a place that looks busy,” Evans said. “Casa Alvarez was always packed, especially on the weekends. It kept the area active.”

As someone who worked just a few steps away, Evans said that, as a customer, he, too, was disappointed in the news.

“It was not very expensive, so it was a good place to grab a quick bite to eat,” Evans said.

Mitchell Byars: 303-473-1329, byarsm@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/mitchellbyars