NASHUA – Villa Banca, a Main Street restaurant for almost two decades, is closing.

No notice was posted at the restaurant itself, although it was dark and closed Monday when it is usually open.

The restaurant’s Facebook had this notice:

“It with great sadness that after 18 years of being part of the great community of Nashua, Villa Banca has closed its doors. It’s never easy to say goodbye, but while this was a difficult decision, we are filled with gratitude for the time we spent together, and to all of you for allowing us to be part of your lives and your celebrations.”

The Facebook site was recently active, posting photos of drinks and food. Scores of comments were posted Monday lamenting its closing.

No further details were available Monday.

Villa Banca opened in 1997 by Tim Poplar, George Sylvester and Len Williams, served classic and contemporary Italian cuisine. It occupied the former Nashua Trust Bank building at the corner of Main Street and East Pearl Street, a history that gave the eatery its name, which is Italian for “house bank”.

Some of the bank’s features remain inside, notably the door of the old vault, giving flavor to the upscale restaurant.

The Mason’s Rising Sun Lodge No. 39 is in the building and is the restaurant’s landlord.

Masons representatives would not comment Monday on the restaurant’s closing.

Downtown is seeing a few high-profile closings lately. Aubuchon Hardware shut in September after 78 years on Main Street, while Ikebana Flowers plans to shut at the end of the year as the owner retires.

The restaurant is approximately 6,600 square feet.

Don Himsel can be reached at 594-6590 or DHimsel@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow Don on Twitter @Telegraph_DonH.