Red Lobster’s longest-running restaurant closed its doors this past Sunday, ending a 56-year run. The location, which first opened in 1970, served its last guests on May 24. Staff on hand reported a steady flow of regulars throughout the weekend, with families and former employees stopping in for one final meal.
The closing comes amid spring’s seasonal shifts, as restaurant operators review leases and adjust staffing ahead of summer. Some employees at the now-shuttered location said they had been offered transfers, while others were still seeking new positions as of Tuesday morning. A manager on site declined to comment on the specifics of the closure.
Red Lobster’s parent company has not issued a statement about the decision to close this particular restaurant. The location was known as the oldest continuously operating outpost in the chain, outlasting others in the city and region. Its closing marks the end of a familiar presence for local diners, especially those who marked graduations and birthdays there over the years.
Several visitors on the final weekend described the mood as nostalgic but subdued. By Sunday evening, staff stacked chairs and swept up after the last guests had gone. A sign on the door thanked the neighborhood for its decades of patronage.
The space remains vacant as of Tuesday. No announcement has been made regarding a new tenant.