A third anchor restaurant at Ward Centre plans to close, leaving the two-story complex long known for eating establishments with two major restaurant tenants.

E&O Trading Co., a Southeast Asia-themed restaurant that opened in 2005, said it plans to close after serving its last customers on Saturday night.

The 175-seat restaurant has 42 employees who will be affected by the shutdown.

Kenwei Chong, a partner in E&O, said the restaurant was hurt by a combination of slower business linked to the weakening economy, delays by the retail complex to expand parking and a general drop in foot traffic at Ward Centre he attributes to the closure of two neighboring restaurants.

"After our third year, I thought we had earned our stripes and tested our mettle," Chong said. "But we got hit with the perfect storm."

E&O's impending end follows the shutdown of previous Ward Centre tenants Brew Moon earlier this month after more than 10 years in business, and Compadres Bar & Grill in September after nearly 25 years.