A Mercer Island mainstay and favorite lunch location, Alpenland Delicatessen will close its doors on Saturday, April 20.

Owner Dianne Masaoka said the restaurant and store will be closing, citing personal reasons.

“We’ve really enjoyed getting to know our regular customers in the last year,” she said. “We really love Alpenland and know they do, too. We’re very sad.”

Dianne and her husband, Chris Masaoka, bought the store from former owner Linda Gadola last May.

The store, located on 78th Avenue S.E., originally opened in 1974 and has since featured traditional European style food and gifts, such as polish sausage, sauerkraut and the well known Reuben sandwiches and pretzel rolls.

The business was originally owned by Katrin and Gunter Bonnofsky, and was purchased by Linda and Toni Gadola in 1997. The Gadolas sold the business last year when they decided it was time to retire. The Masaokas took over last June.

Dianne Masaoka said the decision was very difficult. She said they are planning to have a storewide sale beginning Monday, April 15.