Diners in the neighborhood and beyond are lamenting the loss of King & I – the cozy Thai restaurant at 145 Charles Street that served loyal customers from 1983 until this past Saturday, August 3.

Before the restaurant closed, a statement from the Nandhavan family dated July 31 was posted in the window, saying the family’s decision to close was due to the death of family leader and King & I founder Kent Nandhavan.

“Kent’s vision and passion brought King & I to life in the early 1980s,” the statement said. “His dedication and love for the restaurant was evident in every dish served and every smile shared. While it is deeply sad to say goodbye, we find comfort in the countless memories and legacy we have left behind.”

Another statement from the King & I Family, posted in the restaurant’s window before it closed, reads in part: “King & I was a sanctuary for all of us – a place where we laughed, cried and shared countless memories. It was our home and you were our family. The warmth and love you brought through our doors filled our hearts in ways that words cannot describe. We are overwhelmed with sadness as we say this bittersweet goodbye.”

(Emotional restaurant staff declined to comment for this story on Friday, August 2.)

When King & I opened over 40 years ago, it was one of the city’s first Thai restaurants and helped introduce the cuisine to many in the neighborhood and beyond. The restaurant soon became a popular draw for people from Mass General Hospital and MIT, as well as other communities outside of the residential Beacon Hill area.

“Thank you for your incredible support and loyalty over the years. Through your patronage you have been able to help many people, not just us, and we are deeply grateful for the trust and love you have shown us,” the Nandhavan family said in a statement.

Likewise, the King & I family wrote in their statement: “We owe you all so much, more than words can express. Thank you for being a part of our lives and for allowing us to be a part of yours.”