2 Popular Providence Restaurants Closing

PROVIDENCE, RI — A decade after opening in Providence's Luongo Square (later moving to Fountain Street), North Restaurant and its sister eatery Big King will close this summer, according to owner James Mark.

Mark in an Instagram post Saturday thanked his customers and workers for the success he's had serving unique noodles, dumplings, seafood and plenty of unconventional items, sometimes on handwritten menus.

"We opened a restaurant with $35K. Sent damn near all of it on key money, bought some lobsters, shucked some oysters, sold the leftover beer and wine," Mark said in his post. "We hustled, and we cared, we were crafty, we made our own luck, and we made it."

But Mark said he needs a break. He said he's been working 50-80 workweeks and wants to spend more time with his family.

"I missed my daughter's fifth birthday two weeks ago," Mark said in the post. "It's just another day — but one I'll never get back."

"There will be more birthdays and more friends and more tough days and more great days, but this one? It's gone," Mark continued. "And what was I doing? Working as always."

Mark said he expects the two restaurants will close by the end of June or early July.