After nearly 10 years in Ballard, Madame K's is being sold and will no longer operate here.

It's probably a matter of weeks before the Italian restaurant, famous for its brothel-like atmosphere, will close up shop and become something else, said owner Kirsten Burt.

"It's sad and it's a good time," said Burt from her home in Carnation, where she has recently opened another restaurant, Lazy K's.

Burt said the decision to sell had nothing to do with the economic downturn but that her "heart has just not been in it." Her new endeavor, she said, has taken up much of her energy and time. She said hasn't been very involved in Madame K's operations for the past four years.

"It was just time to make a decision," she said. "I need a new challenge. It is sad-- it's a magical little restaurant."

Burt also has a home in Sunset Hill, so she won't be leaving Ballard altogether. She said she will greatly miss her employees and regular customers, but much of the reason she has decided to sell the business is the shift in the community's character from when she first opened 10 years ago.

"It's a different town, to be honest," Burt said. "I'm not going to say it's bad, it's just different."

Burt could not confirm the date Madame K's would close for good, but said, "the reality is, people should come in sooner rather than later."