Downtown Tucson is losing a popular dining destination.
Proper, the New American eatery from Flagstaff, served its last meal Saturday evening. In a Facebook message, a restaurant official confirmed the closing but could not be reached for additional comment.
But owner Paul Moir of Flagstaff told Tucson Foodie last week that he was leaving Tucson to focus more on his Flagstaff restaurants, which include Proper Meats + Provisions and the Latin inspired Criollo Latin Kitchen.
A Flagstaff import, Proper opened in the early wave of downtown Tucson's resurgence in spring 2013, settling into 300 E. Congress St., on the corner of East Congress Street and South Fifth Avenue.
The open-air bar was a novelty downtown, a chance for patrons to soak in the Congress Street vibe and passersby to peek into a hip-and-happening New American eatery known for its craft cocktails and weekend brunch.
The restaurant received mostly positive and sometimes gushing reviews from patrons on Yelp, the crowd-source website.
In an emotional Facebook post addressed to employees, manager Tafao Faumuina broke the news of the closing.
"(Proper) wasn't just a job, it wasn't just a restaurant, it was my heart," he said.
Proper is the second Tucson restaurant to close last week. Sir Veza's Taco Garage at 4699 E. Speedway — the flagship of Ray Flores's four Sir Veza restaurants including at Tucson Mall — closed last Saturday, June 11.
Restaurants traditionally brace for a dramatic slowdown through summer in Tucson with the loss of the University of Arizona student population and the winter visitors.
