Just weeks after 40-year-old Aardvark Books said its goodbyes, another longtime business has closed its doors at Church and Market streets.

After 22 years in business, popular American restaurant Chow has shuttered its original location at 215 Church St.

The restaurant's owner, Tony Gulisano, did not respond to a request for comment, but a Chow representative told Eater SF today that "it was just time for us," with no further discussion of reasons for Chow's closure. 

Hoodline was first alerted to Chow's potential closure by tipster Scott S. back in January. We reached out to a manager at the restaurant, who vehemently denied the rumor.

In a sign posted to its window, the restaurant thanks its longtime customers. "It has been a genuine pleasure to be part of your lives, to have been able to get to know you, and to have been able to feed you for all of these years."

The closure is the latest in a string for Chow. Last year, it shuttered its Inner Sunset outpost, Park Chow, after 20 years, then closed its new Oakland outpost after less than a year. 

The manager Hoodline spoke to in January said at the time that Chow's other East Bay location, in Lafayette, would remain open alongside Chow Church. It's unclear if that will also prove to be false. 

In the meantime, the note on Chow Church's window encourages new blood to take over the location, on a block of Church Street that has struggled with a massive wave of retail and restaurant vacancies. 

"The location deserves someone to come in and carry the torch for this beautiful neighborhood," the owners write. "Please reach out to our super landlord, Tom, at 415-863-6128 if you think you're up for the task!"

Thanks to tipsters Joe R. and Scott S. See something interesting while you’re out and about? Text Hoodline and we’ll try to find out what's going on: (415) 200-3233.