AUBURN – In the past 10 days, Troy Tracy had a three-door freezer and a walk-in cooler both die at his restaurant. He lost $3,000 worth of food and decided, that’s it.

“As a business owner, you have to decide when are you throwing good money after bad,” Tracy said Thursday.

Uncle Troy’s, the eatery marked with a caricature of his smiling face on the corner of Court and Main streets, will close after dinner today.

The restaurant served a range of American fare and opened last December in the space formerly occupied by Midnight Blues Cafe.

“A lot of our working capital got eaten up bringing our building up to code,” said Tracy, who had worked at the Ramada Inn, Black Watch and Gridiron before opening Uncle Troy’s.

Business had been picking up lately. The live acts were popular, he said.

He said he was disappointed at how large retailers appear to receive more support than small business owners in Lewiston-Auburn and, for now, wouldn’t be interested in starting another venture here.

Tracy’s in talks with someone who might be interested in taking over the restaurant space.

“Obviously, this is a prime- time location,” he said.

“Everything happens for a reason. At least I won’t be 70 years old sitting in my rocking chair wondering, what if?”