Organic Fresno trying to help community before closing its doors

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Two years after opening an all-natural restaurant near Highway 99, the owners of Organic Fresno have decided to close their doors.

Tara Hamilton is trying to savor moments like this after making the decision to close her kitchen for good.

"So it's hard, even if we only had 20 customers that day, every single customer was like our friend, but we need 60 customers a day to stay open," said Hamilton.

Two years ago, Hamilton and her husband opened the restaurant in the blighted Parkway Drive, determined to spread the message of natural food to all backgrounds and to shine a light in Fresno.

"They tell me they've done a double-take several times as they saw an Organic Fresno sign in the middle of Highway 99," said Hamilton.

Tammy Anderson was the lone customer Friday morning. She drove from Clovis to eat.

"It's awesome. This is the kind of stuff you find in Berkeley, or San Francisco, and Fresno," said Anderson. "It's sad because we've lost an opportunity here."

Before the closing, Hamilton is determined to go out with a bang. She's written a cookbook that she wants to give out to the less fortunate, but needs to raise money to publish it.

A Friday night fundraiser will pay tribute to Indian culture and pre-wedding ceremonies that patrons can participate in.

"So I thought we don't have a wedding in store but we're saying goodbye, and so in a similar way it's kind of like closing of one story and a chapter," said Hamilton.

Hamilton plans to spend their last days in business working every bit she can.

Although the business is closing its doors, the owners say the silver lining in this is they've learned there are good people in Fresno. They're hoping patrons come out and support them in their final days as an organic restaurant.