LuLu’s, an Asian restaurant in downtown Evanston, plans to close in January after 21 years in business.

Owner Dan Kelch said he is “just tired” after so many years of running the establishment, 804 Davis St.

“While LuLu’s is still a profitable operation, it’s not fair to our customers or staff to operate the restaurant on cruise control,” Kelch wrote in a letter to his employees.

Kelch will continue to own the space at 804 Davis St. and has found new tenants to take over. In the letter, he said the restaurant will be renovated and reopened as a “farm to table concept.”

Despite the closing, LuLu’s may not be gone forever. Kelch said the staff wants to keep the restaurant alive, and he has looked at other locations.

“Who knows? I may take a break for a year and then another location may present itself,” Kelch said. “I’m not promising to bring it back, but it’s conceivable.”

Kelch also owns Taco Diablo, 1029 Davis St.

“I’m an Evanston person,” Kelch said. “I’m not going to go to another community.”

— Scott Brown