AKRON, Ohio — Chrissie Hynde is citing the struggling economy in the closing of her vegetarian restaurant in her hometown of Akron, Ohio.

The Pretenders front woman posted a notice Sunday on the VegiTerranean restaurant website.

She says that she and the staff had tried to keep the restaurant open but that the economic climate made it impossible. She opened the downtown eatery four years ago.

Hynde campaigned in 2009 against a recall effort targeting Mayor Donald Plusquellic (plus-QUEL'-ihk) and credited him with doing a good job to revive downtown. He survived the recall effort.

The Pretenders are known for such hits as "Back on the Chain Gang" and have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

First Published October 3, 2011, 5:50 p.m.