The owner of the historic El Nido restaurant and bar in Tesuque said he will continue to keep the restaurant going after the current operators retire.

The restaurant will close Jan. 24 under the old operators, said Carlton Colquitt, a part-time Santa Fe resident who also resides in New York. But Colquitt said he is the owner of El Nido and will keep the restaurant and the name going after a short hiatus.

Colquitt takes over Feb. 1 from Dennis Dampf and Don Scharhag, who have operated El Nido on a lease from Colquitt since 1982.

"They (Dampf and Scharhag) have an interest in the lease and want to get their stuff out (of El Nido) by Feb. 1," Colquitt said. "I have a new manager who will be reopening in February. The name El Nido is registered in my name, and I own the liquor license and the building."

Colquitt said he would reveal the name of the new manager at a later date.

He also said the restaurant would be open seven days per week and be "busier and much more successful" than it has been.

Misunderstanding about the closing arose from an e-mail Dampf sent to The New Mexican on Wednesday afternoon that stated: "A sad FYI

"Owners Don Scharhag and Dennis Dampf are announcing the end of an era. El Nido in Tesuque will be closing after dinner on Jan. 24 2010.

"Many THANKS go to our loyal customers and wonderful staff. Don and Dennis hope to see as many folks as we can until the Jan. 24 closing.

"Again a sincere thanks goes out to everyone for supporting us these past 27 years."

Dampf said the closing of the restaurant "was a pretty emotional time for us."