Rosa Linda’s Mexican Cafe will close at the end of the month after 30 years in business in Denver’s Highland neighborhood.

“It’s just time,” said Oscar Aguirre, the oldest son of the family that owns the restaurant. “Like everything, there have been changes, and my mom and dad want to retire.”

Rosa Linda Aguirre, who turned 65 in July, said her husband, Virgilio, officially retired 10 years ago but was still working at the family restaurant.

“It’s gotten too hard to be here for 12 hours a day,” she said.

Still, it was a very hard decision to make, and the family – which includes their five adult children – has been debating for months about what to do.

Rosa Linda’s will close on Oct. 30, and its annual Thanksgiving Feast to the Needy has been canceled.

“That is the thing that will hurt the most,” said Rosa Linda, who opened the restaurant on Jan. 17, 1985, after her husband had been out of work for a few months.

Many people in the neighborhood didn’t believe the restaurant, which was built on family recipes, would make it, she said.

“But I always pray,” she said, “and I asked the Lord, if I make it to November, I will open my doors to the needy.”

That Thanksgiving, Rosa Linda’s served about 200 meals to people in need. Over the decades, that number grew exponentially. People in the community began volunteering, and it became a holiday tradition.

“Last year, we fed more than 6,000,” she said.

That feast included turkey, green chile, rice and beans, served with the spirit of celebration.

Although the restaurant at 2005 W. 33rd St. will close, the family hasn’t yet decided what will go into that space.

“We’re not going to sell it,” said Rosa Linda. “We’re keeping the building, the parking lot, and the house next door. That’s why we worked so hard.”As she looks back over three decades, Rosa Linda says she feels very blessed.

“Our customers became our friends, and my friends are now part of the family,” she said. “There are a lot of wonderful memories.”