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MISSOULA- A downtown bar and grill will close its doors after 2½ years to make room for another business after the building owners decided not to renew The Central Bar and Grill's lease.

One customer is unsure where he'll go when The Central, on 143 West Broadway Street, closes down.

"It's pretty upsetting," said Johnny Coburn, who said he often hangs out with friends at The Central. "I mean, I don't know where else I would like to hang out."

The Central operates in the Palace/Badlander complex building, and serves alcohol under the Badlander's liquor license.

Co-owner Jenny Rudh said, "They have their own reasoning behind it and our lease was up and that's business."

She said their last day will be Sept. 1 and they have to be out of the building by Sept. 9.

"It's hard, but it is what it is," she said.

Rudh and her business partner opened up shop in January 2010, and she said they've put a lot of themselves into The Central. "A lot of work and a lot of time and energy and you know really blood, sweat, and tears have gone into it for three years."

Rudh said she's sad to be closing down and head into an uncertain future, but she's thankful for their customers.

"I feel like we've established something really good in this spot," she said. "[We] have a lot of really regular customers that come in a couple of times a week. Normally, when this place is packed, we know most of the people by name that are in here."

Coburn said he's made lots of memories at The Central and isn't looking forward to finding a new hang-out. "I just wish this place could stay here," he said.

Rudh said they're ready to go out with a bang, and they're planning a last-day bash for Sept. 1.

It's not known yet what business will be moving into that location.