Rice Diet Center, built around a white rice and fruit diet, has ended after nearly 70 years of operation. 

According to the Associated Press, the Rice Diet, which started at Duke University's medical center, closed their residential doors in November. Rice Diet Owner, Dr. Robert Rosati, was unable to close a deal with potential buyers; a deal would allow Rosati to restart the program. 

"I think the whole business was challenged during the hardest part of the recession, and also my husband was ready to retire," said Rosati's wife, Kitty, author of "Rice Diet Solution."

Founder Dr. Walter Kempner's original goal was a plan to address high-blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease in the 1930s; a time before the invention of the modern drugs. Kempner's plan resulted in weight loss among his average customers. 

The rice diet was among the first weight loss clinics in the country, the AP reported. After Kempner's death, Robert Rosati, who had been working with the program for nearly two decades, took it over

Duke University parted with the Rice Diet in 2002.  

"One ate rice and fruit and walked," said Anspaugh, whose book about her experiences with the program is called "Fat Like Us". ""The staff didn't care what you thought, only what you ate and how often you exercised."  

Reports state customers decreased as other diet approaches and stomach surgeries became more available.  

"People are looking for the freshest, the hottest, the latest, the greatest. The Rice Diet is nutritionally sound," said Amy Jamieson-Petonic, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "Because it's not the latest and the greatest, I'm wondering if it kind of fell out of popularity."

According to the AP, businessman, John Aycoth tried buying the Rice Diet Program from the Rosatis, but is now launching a new venture. Investing $1 million to buy a building, outfit it with a new kitchen and furniture. 

Aycoth has plans to hire many former Rice Diet employees and next month plans to open the Rice House Healthcare Program, based on Kempner's principles. Aycoth still believes in supervised diet clinics because obesity, and the serious illnesses that accompany it, is rising in numbers in the United States. 

The center currently remains closed.