GRESHAM, Ore. -- The slow economy took its toll on some restaurant workers when their boss said he didn't have enough money to pay them what they earned.

The workers at Izzy's Pizza said they had to fight for their wages when their boss gave them only about a third of what their paychecks should have been.

The owner said it's a sign of the economy and the restaurant is shutting down for good.

Izzy's served customers for decades.

But this month, workers suddenly found their paychecks cut short by two-thirds of what they normally were paid.

They said the restaurant is closing down and leaving them in the red, making it tough to keep their families going.

The owner said he feels terrible about what is happening, but after almost 25 years in business the slow economy made it impossible for him to keep going.

He said he takes pride in the way he treats people -- especially his employees -- but simply cannot make the full payroll right now.

His mistake he said was trying to keep the business going for too long.

He said buffet restaurants have an extra struggle during these hard times because even if no customers come in the restaurant still has to pay a fixed cost for food and workers.

So he said Izzy's may not be the only buffet place to shut down in the Portland area.

Restaurant Can't Pay Workers Full Wages