Austin Cantina, which has called itself "Seattle's best TexMex Experience" has closed its doors for good after a little more than a year in Ballard.

"Business crashed right along with the stock market," owner Jefe Birkner told the Ballard News-Tribune in December after he announced a possible closure.

Birkner said on Jan. 2 he is "sad about the closing, and is trying to find his "next adventure."

Bella's Best, Annabelle's Consignment & Antiques and All the King's Flags are other Ballard businesses that have not been able to survive the recession here.

Several factors have lead to this decision, Birkner said. Two major construction projects nearby, sidewalk closures and a weak economy have "led to the second largest drop in sales we've experienced, followed by monthly decreases in total sales and guests through the door, it is uncertain that we'll be able to serve guests in our current configuration in the coming year," said Birkner.

"We've been very fortunate to have a solid base of neighborhood regulars, positive press, and Texan ex-pats who came in to eat, but our peak summer business did not last long enough and did not create enough of a cushion to carry us through a slow, cold, dark winter," Birkner's message continued. "The dramatic drop in sales has us asking if there is any way that this business could succeed in this space, at this time. We'll spend two weeks introspectively considering that question, and determine if there is any way to survive and thrive on (Northwest) 24th."

"It looks ever more likely that tonight will be the last night of Austin Cantina in its present configuration," Birker posted on his blog Dec. 20. "I am too far behind on bills and taxes to make it through another January, February, March, April like 2008, and all indications are that the coming year is likely to be tougher on consumers than the last year, and therefore tougher on consumer businesses like this one."

Then on Dec. 29, Birkner announced on his blog the restaurant would close for good.