The Mission Cafe and Sweet Shop will close Oct. 30 after about four years in business on Santa Fe's east side in a historic building at 239 E. DeVargas St.

"The recession thing has been difficult," said restaurant owner Carolyn Stephenson, adding that she was unwilling to open the restaurant for dinner, a move that could have improved sales but would have meant more stress for Stephenson and her seven employees.

Stephenson also said she wants to devote more time to the Community Farm, a small agricultural education center for Santa Fe in Agua Fría Village, on the west side of San Ysidro Crossing.

"The possibilities are limitless," she said. "The farm is a priceless asset. I want the community to see the farm as theirs."

Stephenson is the daughter-in-law of John Stephenson, the man who bought the land that became the Community Farm and planted the farm's original orchard.

The farm earlier in the year was converted to a nonprofit organization, with part of the profits from the Mission Cafe going to support the farm.

The Community Farm will continue with its policy of charitable donations of fresh organic fruits and vegetables to various groups and individuals, Stephenson said.

Such organizations as Food for Santa Fe, The Food Depot, Kitchen Angels and St. John's Soup Kitchen are involved in that effort, according to the Mission Cafe's Web site, she said.

And volunteers will continue to visit the farm from schools, interfaith groups and shelters, Stephenson said. "We also want to educate the young about the need to eat healthy food."

Stephenson said she was finding it difficult to run the restaurant and help manage the farm at the same time.

"It's time for to devote my full attention to the community farm," she said. "It's the work of our time."

The restaurant as well as the historic, 5,000-square-foot building in which it is located are for sale for an undisclosed price. Stephenson owns the building and the restaurant.

The building, which at one time was the family home of former Santa Fe Mayor Joe Valdes and dates back to the early 1800s, was "beautifully remodeled" in 2004 to accommodate the Mission Cafe, Stephenson said.

Stephenson said she received an architectural award from the city of Santa Fe for the remodeling of the building. "Everything was done with integrity."

"It's a turnkey as a restaurant," Stephenson said. "But it doesn't have to be a restaurant."

Being so close to the state Capitol complex, the building could, among other things, be a venue for lobbyists who come to Santa Fe for the annual sessions of the Legislature, Stephenson said.

"I'm hoping to find a possible buyer," Stephenson said.