RUMFORD – After nearly 33 years, John and Priscilla DiConzo decided to close the doors on their Congress Street restaurant.

DiConzo’s Ristorante and Candlestick Lounge served its last meal and entertained its last customer on Sept. 6.

The DiConzos, who bought the two-story building in 1975, put the business on the market a year or so ago. They had hoped to keep the business operating until a new buyer was found.

Despite a couple of bites, no one bought the circa 1920s building. The DiConzos decided to close the doors after they couldn’t get their dance or liquor licenses renewed at the end of August and mid-September, respectively.

DiConzo said he decided not to invest an estimated $25,000 to meet required state building code regulations needed to get the licenses.

Among problems is a required relocation of propane tanks that are in an enclosure near the Lowell Street back entrance. He said state law mandates that they be located at least 10 feet from the back entrance door.

Also, he said he is required to replace a ventilation hood in the cooking area, which he said is another large expense.

At age 75, he said he didn’t want to invest any more money in the business. He said over the years, the state has required repairs or updates, such as the installation of sprinklers and the removal of rugs from the walls, to meet codes that has cost him thousands of dollars.

During the past three years, the business was operated by the couple and their son, Joseph, because business has been so slow.

In the early years, Priscilla said, the restaurant and lounge employed as many as five waitresses and three bartenders, and offered Italian foods and daily specials.

The basement lounge, which has featured the exotic dancers of Bodies in Motion among the entertainment, was once a candlepin bowling alley. That’s where the lounge’s name originated, DiConzo said.

The DiConzos bought the business from the owners of another restaurant that had operated at the same site, Rozzano’s Italian Restaurant.

The legacy of the bowling alley is reflected in the bar and the customer tables in the lounge, made from the original bowling alley floors.

The second floor has nine rooms that can be used as offices or made into apartments.

DiConzo plans to find another job, while Priscilla plans to retire.

“We’ve had a lot of good times,” Priscilla said. “There’s a lot of work to do around the house.”

She said the 33rd anniversary of the purchase of the business is Nov. 3.