Leon and Dick’s Rib Shack opened around the beginning of a new year, and this past weekend closed as another New Year approached.

Co-owner Leon Mauvolas was settled into retirement when the recession forced him back to work in 2011, he said at the time. At the start of that year, he and business partner Dick Secondo introduced Leon and Dick’s Rib Shack inside what was Hamburger Joe’s, 7032 Market St.

Both had come from successful restaurants. Mauvolas grew up in the restaurant business. His parents ran the late John’s Grill at 13th and Princess streets and the late Seven Seas restaurant in Wrightsville Beach.

Mauvolas retired in 2007 after selling his 17-year-old Leon’s Ogden Restaurant, a homecooking shop on Market Street not far north of Leon and Dick’s.

Secondo previously owned Saltworks II.

Ribs, burgers, stewed greens, macaroni and cheese and tall layer cakes, as well as $2 breakfast specials, were favorites at homey Leon and Dick’s.

Mauvolas and Secondo could not be reached for comment, but the pair thanked customers and employees for their support on Leon and Dick’s Facebook page.

With the restaurant out of the picture, Wilmington’s slim pork rib pickings shrink even more. Rotisserie ribs similar to those Leon and Dick’s served are sold at Mayfaire Town Center’s Fresh Market, 1060 International Drive, and at Piggly Wiggly, 112 Village Road Northeast in Leland.