Short-lived Campo 185 closed over the holiday weekend and will reopen as Sam’s Chowder House. The owners cited the overwhelming number of Italian restaurants and pizzerias as a possible reason.

“There are eight Italian restaurants, and 10 pizzerias in contiguous downtown Palo Alto,” the owners wrote in a goodbye note, “and there aren’t any seafood restaurants like Sam’s.”

Their original Half Moon bay location is an area phenomenon, partly due to its prime location, which offers sweeping views and beach access. Sam’s models their concept behind a traditional New England seafood house, serving up plates of clam chowder, fish and chips, raw selections and more. Their meaty, buttery lobster roll was made famous in recent years on NBC’s The Today Show.

The new location in Palo Alto will seat 140 and Executive Chef Rob Holt, who formerly managed the kitchen at Campo, will remain in the kitchen under the leadership of Sam’s Half Moon Bay executive chef, Lewis Rossman. It is set to open in October.