A historic rural restaurant remains closed because of the pandemic. 1844 Restaurant, located at 690 Route 66, 3 miles north of Leechburg in Gilpin, closed in March. It is too early to say when it will reopen, said owner/operator Robert Gorelli. Gorelli, 78, said he wants to see widespread covid-19 vaccine distribution happen before making a decision. “We will reopen when it’s safe for our customers and employees,” Gorelli said. Gorelli said several of his relatives died because of covid-19 complications, and he is not taking any chances. He wants to assure customers the business has not closed permanently. “We miss all of our customers,” Gorelli said, “but it needs to be the right time to open again. This wasn’t a difficult decision for me, to remain closed. I made my mind up.”