The recession continues to take its toll on local restaurants. The latest casualty: the charming French-themed cafe Le Petit Paris in midtown, which will close Sept. 26. Owner Tassina Placencia blamed the gloomy economy. “I don’t think I can go five more years like this. We don’t want to sacrifice our family,” said Placencia, who runs the cafe with her husband; together, they have an 8-year-old daughter. Placencia opened Le Petit Paris five years ago as a store selling housewares, gifts, jewelry and clothing. Two years later, she expanded into the space next door and opened a cafe, serving espresso drinks, desserts and French tartine sandwiches. “It was an amazing five years,” she said. “I loved it.” But she’s “at peace” with the decision to close. “We got it out of our system,” she said, laughingly adding, “We’re never going to do that again.” Her husband has returned to his job as a rocket scientist with Aerojet; she’s looking for a part-time gig that will give her more time with her daughter. “We’re going to miss it,” she said of the cafe. “It’s really been our home.” In the meantime, Placencia is selling off everything in the store and cafe, including the colorful bistro tables and chairs. Drop by for a fabulous ham and brie tartine before Sept. 26.
