After a four-year run, 8th & Union Kitchen in Wilmington's Little Italy neighborhood has closed its doors.

The 150-seat eatery first opened in April 2015 as a Southeast Asian inspired restaurant. It later expanded its menu and became known as an American gastropub.

The location had previously been the former Union City Grille. In November 2014, chef/owner Matthew Curtis announced he was selling the 805 N. Union St. eatery he purchased in 2008.

The building has housed several restaurants over the years, including once being the home of the former Tarabicos restaurant.

Brian Ashby, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney, Australia, initially had spent several months completely renovating the space into 8th & Union Kitchen. Ashby told The News Journal he wanted to give the tired, dated decor a much-needed facelift.

After working for several years in Venice Beach, California, he liked the Barnwood style used in many Los Angeles area restaurants.

His family runs the Ashby Hospitality Group, the organization behind the Deer Park Tavern in Newark and Odessa's Cantwell's Tavern.

The restaurant is now run by his brother Marc Ashby.

"Closed for renovations" read a handwritten sign taped to the front door on Wednesday morning.

But Marc Ashby told The News Journal Wednesday his family would not be reopening.

"We're looking to sell." The reason for the closing? "We didn't generate enough sales."

He said the restaurant employed 20 to 25 people. He said some salaried employees are going to work at the hospitality group's other restaurants, and part-timers could ask about jobs at the Ashby establishments.

The 4,600-square-foot restaurant and bar is now listed with Patterson-Woods Commercial Properties. The sale price is $1.5 million and includes all the furniture, fixtures and equipment.

For more information, contact Joseph Latina at (302) 622-3512.

Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 or ptalorico@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @pattytalorico