Hank’s Tavern and Eats at University Town Center will close on April 20.

The restaurant, which serves standard American fare, has had a loyal customer base since it opened in 2008. Backed by Washington celebrity chef Geoff Tracy, who has since decamped to New York City, Hank’s was one of the first signs of new life in the local restaurant scene.

Though there’s nothing on the restaurant’s website, Facebook or Twitter accounts, staff say that there are some plans to go out with style, perhaps with some special events.

It’s unclear how much the troubles of the University Town Center have to do with the restaurant closing. After all, as a sit-down restaurant aimed at a slightly older crowd, it managed to do fine throughout the recession and the new Safeway and other businesses coming to the area would presumably have only helped things.

The Hyattsville Wire heard that the location will become a Korean barbecue, although we can’t confirm that at this time.