Anthony’s Beach Cafe and Cafe Rio Mexican Grill have closed after a year in business near South Hill Target store

Two restaurants have closed within three days of each other in the new Regal Plaza south of Ferris High School, where Target now anchors a busy shopping center.

Anthony’s Restaurants announced Friday it was closing its Anthony’s Beach Cafe.

“We tried something new taking our signature seafood to a casual restaurant off the water. Unfortunately, it did not succeed,” said Budd Gould, the founder and president of Anthony’s.

Most other Anthony’s seafood restaurants are located on the waterfront, including its downtown Spokane restaurant. There’s also an Anthony’s in the Riverstone development in Coeur d’Alene.

The Cafe Rio Mexican Grill had already closed earlier this week as part of a broader company effort to shutter some of its marginally performing restaurants, including the November closure of its Wenatchee eatery. The chain, privately owned and based in Utah, has been growing fast with more than 100 restaurants in 11 states, according to its website. It has been rumored by national trade magazine to be considering whether to seek an intial public offering of stock.

Cafe Rio continues to operate a restaurant in Spokane Valley.

Plaza developer Dave Black said he was disappointed by the closures – especially since the restaurants had a successful pedigree and were only given a year to succeed.

“It’s weird. I just don’t get it,” he said.

The restaurants will continue to pay on their leases as Black works to find new tenants.

He said other restaurants and retailers in the shopping center are successful.