Norwich - Chacer's Bar & Grill, a popular downtown hangout, will close its doors soon, the casualty of a divorce by owners Geoffrey Chase and Courtney Gray.

Chacers, at 78 Franklin St. has been in operation for the past 6½ years, having taken over the spot of a previous restaurant and the former longtime location of Billy Wilson's Ageing Still - now on lower Broadway.

Chase said the demanding restaurant business strained their marriage and the couple recently filed for divorce. He said neither could run the place alone, and closing was the only option.

"It wasn't easy at all, and it took a toll on our marriage," Chase said. "It stinks because we had a lot of fun in that business. We made a lot of friends doing events with the Harp & Dragon (Irish pub on Main Street) and Billy Wilson's."

The three restaurant/bars collaborated on downtown events including last weekend's Benedict Arnold Pub Crawl that brought 42 participants to Chacer's. The three also participated in the new St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival that started last year.

While the Chacer's Bar Facebook Page posted that Wednesday would be the last night, Chase said the actual closing date has not yet been determined. "We still have some things to work out," he said.

Chase is now the manager of the High Rollers luxury bowling alley at the Foxwoods Resort Casino and is looking into other restaurant and bar opportunities in the region.

Gray declined to comment on the closing. Chase said his estranged wife also works at a child care facility.

"So to all Chacers loyal customers, supporters, regulars, family and friends there aren't words to thank you enough for believing in Chacers," a note posted Wednesday on the bar's Facebook Page said. "For having your celebrations of all sorts here, for taking the time when planning your nights out to come here, for passing the word along to others about your experience here, for the laughs and tears, and for the good times and bad... Let's go out the way we know best... With good company, cold drinks, and enjoy the rest of our appetizers, sandwiches, burgers and wings!

With sincere appreciation."

Norwich Community Development Corp. President Robert Mills called the closure unfortunate, but not a reflection on the downtown business climate, as the facility often was crowded.

Chacer's Bar & Grill was receiving monthly lease rebate support through the voter-approved downtown revitalization program administered by NCDC. The bar received a total of $49,000 in rebates on lease payments since June of 2013, NCDC records showed. Mills said the rebate ended with the closure of the bar.

"It's a tough situation," Mills said. "Geoff told me, when you have a small business like that and a young couple trying to run it, it's exacting on the couple, and the marriage became a casualty."

c.bessette@theday.com

Twitter: @Bessettetheday