After More Than Two Decades, The Keg Steakhouse & Bar Will Close Its Doors On Jan. 19

A restaurant that has been grilling steaks and pouring Happy Hour drinks in Renton for more than two decades will close its doors Jan. 19.

The Keg Steakhouse & Bar - which has operated at 3750 E. Valley Rd since 1990 - will not renew its leases at its Renton and Tacoma locations.

Doug Smith, vice president of operations with the British Columbia-based steakhouse chain, confirmed the news with Patch on Tuesday.

"That is, unfortunately, the case," he said, attributing much of the decision to the struggling economy.

"It's a sad day. We had lots of memories there."

The company notified employees about the pending closure over the weekend. The Keg employs 52 people in Renton and another 43 people in Tacoma, which opened in 1981.

The Keg's three other Washington locations - Kirkland, Factoria and Lynnwood - will remain open.

Smith said not renewing the leases in the South Sound was a difficult decision. He added that the company wanted to give its employees enough advanced notice of the closure, particularly given the holiday season.

"We feel we owe it to our staff to give them the appropriate amount of time," he said.

Check with Patch for developments in this story.