ANNAPOLIS, MD — In 1989, Rams Head opened its first tavern in Annapolis followed by the Rams Head Tavern in Historical Savage Mill 10 years later. But now, decades later, the Howard County restaurant is closing permanently. The Rams Head Group and Historic Savage Mill announced recently, the 20-year lease agreement would not be renewed.

“It’s most unfortunate after all this time," Jay Winer, managing partner of Historic Savage Mill, told the Baltimore Sun. “Twenty years ago, I showed the space to Bill Muehlhauser, who was the owner and founder at Rams Head, and the Mill was their second location. It was disappointing we came to this. The situation was just exacerbated because of the virus.”

Rams Head owns five other restaurants in Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Crownsville, Stevensville and Key West, Fla.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision," said Michael Lechner, director of operations for the Rams Head Group, in a press release. “We could not be more thankful to our many customers and team members who delivered upon our company promise for more than two decades, and to Historic Savage Mill which remains one of the most unique locations in all of Maryland.”

This article originally appeared on the Columbia Patch