Photo Gallery: Rocky Cola in Montrose is closing

Lucy DiMino, at bottom, talks with a well-wisher at a very busy Rocky Cola Cafe in Montrose on Thursday, December 27, 2012. The diner, which has been open nearly 25 years, will close Sunday due to a downturn in the economy and an increasing number of local restaurants. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)

Dec. 28, 2012 9 AM PT

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After almost 25 years in Montrose, Rocky Cola Café will serve its final burgers on Sunday -- an end wrought by stiffer competition from restaurants that have opened during the past two decades and a too slow recovery from the recession.

Photo Gallery: Rocky Cola in Montrose is closing

Parker Jahnke, 3, of La Crescenta, climbs a bar stool at the counter of Rocky Cola Cafe in Montrose on Thursday, December 27, 2012. The diner, which has been open nearly 25 years, will close Sunday due to a downturn in the economy and an increasing number of local restaurants. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)

The serving counter at Rocky Cola Cafe in Montrose on Thursday, December 27, 2012. The diner, which has been open nearly 25 years, will close Sunday due to a downturn in the economy and an increasing number of local restaurants. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)

David Gemberling, who has worked at Rocky Cola for 10 years, looks for the table that ordered floats at Rocky Cola Cafe in Montrose on Thursday, December 27, 2012. The diner, which has been open nearly 25 years, will close Sunday due to a downturn in the economy and an increasing number of local restaurants. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)

Part of the music selection in the juke box at Rocky Cola Cafe in Montrose on Thursday, December 27, 2012. The diner, which has been open nearly 25 years, will close Sunday due to a downturn in the economy and an increasing number of local restaurants. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)

General manager Lucy DiMino and owner Wally Curry, outside Rocky Cola Cafe in Montrose on Thursday, December 27, 2012. The diner, which has been open nearly 25 years, will close Sunday due to a downturn in the economy and an increasing number of local restaurants. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)

Kayla Rodiger, with Rocky Cola, takes food to a table at Rocky Cola Cafe in Montrose on Thursday, December 27, 2012. The diner, which has been open nearly 25 years, will close Sunday due to a downturn in the economy and an increasing number of local restaurants. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)

Left to right: Wally Curry, owner of Rocky Cola, Donna Cocke, of Hermosa Beach, Mary Ellen DiMino, of Rocky Cola, Larry Cocke, of Hermosa Beach, and Lucy DiMino, Rocky Cola general manager. Rocky Cola owner Wally Curry shakes the hand of Larry Cocke, of Hermosa Beach at Rocky Cola Cafe in Montrose on Thursday, December 27, 2012. The diner, which has been open nearly 25 years, will close Sunday due to a downturn in the economy and an increasing number of local restaurants. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)