PORT ORCHARD — When the lively Moondogs, Too bar and grill closed for good on Halloween night, a little bit of Bay Street’s soul went with it.

Operators Sheila Cline and Dave Jones disclosed Oct. 27 on the business’s Facebook page that the popular downtown Port Orchard mainstay was closing. Longtime customers and civic leaders lamented the loss of the popular establishment once owned and operated by the late Darryl Baldwin, who died April 23, 2014, after battling skin cancer. He opened it at the location of the former Port Orchard Tavern in 2007. Before opening as Moondogs, Too, the location had been in business for several years as Moondogs Bar and Grill.

The Facebook posting thanked the Port Orchard community for its support: “The community that Darryl called home – we’ve been struggling with what to say to you as we, along with our partners Dave Jones and Sheila Cline regarding closing the doors of Moondogs, Too for the final time this Monday, Oct. 31, 2016. It’s times like this when we turn to Darryl and his words about Moondogs and Port Orchard. He said: ‘It’s almost like karma. If you give to the community, the community will give back. Let’s give to the community so they know we care …’”

The business was recognized in 2013 as “Small Business of the Year” by the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce.

Baldwin renovated the business after purchasing the building in December 2012, increasing the size of the commercial kitchen.

Cline said the business was kept operational for two and a-half years after his death in an attempt to sell it.

The restaurant and bar is owned by Baldwin’s family members, who have had it on the market since his death. Baldwin had listed Moondogs, Too for sale with a listing price of $1.05 million.

Although a sale has come close to fruition, the business and building ultimately never sold.

“We simply depleted our resources,” Cline said. “It’s been hard. We tried the best we could to keep it going. But now it’s time.”

Port Orchard’s mayor, Rob Putaansuu, said he was sorry to see the establishment’s closure.

“We’ve all been aware that it has been for sale for some time and unfortunately, (a sale) didn’t come to fruition.

“Darryl and the people at Moondogs, Too were wonderful for our community,” Putaansuu said.

“Feeding the homeless during the holidays has been great for Port Orchard.”

Putaansuu said he has been in touch with the building’s owner, who he said plans to remodel it into a family-friendly restaurant and bar.

Cline, who was Baldwin’s girlfriend, was busy last Monday preparing for Moondogs, Too’s final day of business. As expected, the end has been bittersweet.

“It’s just been a wonderful weekend because of the support people have shown to us,” Cline said from her upstairs office.

“It’s been overwhelming, awesome. People have been coming up and sharing stories and telling us their memories. It’s just so nice to know that we have been appreciated and that people believe we’ve been a big part of the community.

Indeed, Moondogs, Too has been active in helping the community. It’s perhaps best known for its traditional Thanksgiving dinner, served free to community members since 2007.

The operators also have lent their assistance to other groups in the area raising money for worthy causes.

Cline said most of the existing Moondogs, Too staff members have found jobs. “Everyone knows that our staff is dedicated, and the ones still here had a connection to Darryl and the business.”

As for Cline, she’ll now focus on her family, as well as her other job with the Arthritis Foundation. But like every adventure in life, there’s a beginning, a middle and an end.

“Everyone — the owners and the staff — we’re just looking for closure. It’s been a rollercoaster ride, for sure.”