GARDNERVILLE, Nev.

A northern Nevada landmark has closed its doors after 43 years in business.

Sharkey's Casino in Gardnerville, which opened in 1971 under the ownership of Milos "Sharkey" Begovich, shut down at midnight Saturday.

But signs taped to the property's doors say it's only "temporarily closed."

According to a notice of trustee's sale in Gardnerville's Record-Courier, the casino will go on the auction block on Dec. 4 on the Douglas County Courthouse steps.

Its owner, Holder Hospitality Group, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April 2013 and county records show it owes $3.8 million to creditors, the Record-Courier reported (http://bit.ly/1xMLMng ).

Holder Hospitality declined comment Sunday.

Among major creditors is a company owned by Carson Valley Inn owner Mike Pegram. Liens also were filed Friday against Holder Hospitality by Kelly Steam Cleaning for $7,067 and the town of Gardnerville for $3,352 in garbage service.

Owner Hal Holder has said he purchased Sharkey's in 2002 from the colorful Begovich on a handshake for $5 million.

Last December, Holder announced the casino had emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy after a federal bankruptcy judge accepted the company's plan.

At the time, Holder said no employee was released or had work hours reduced due to the filing, and all vendors, suppliers and creditors would be fully paid. He also said business improved during the eight months it operated under Chapter 11 protection and capital improvements would move forward.

Under Begovich's ownership, the casino displayed his extensive collection of memorabilia and was a major supporter of community groups.

Over 1,500 items, including gloves and shoes worn by championship fighters in the early 1900s, paintings of prominent Indians and Wild West figures and silver-plated parade saddles from the 1920s, were auctioned off after Begovich sold the casino.

Begovich also was known for his "Cow Pasture" boxing series and his annual free Serbian Christmas dinner for the community.