A Hooters restaurant in Rhode Island has closed its doors indefinitely, only a few years after it had reopened to welcome back its patrons.
The restaurant in Warwick, about eight miles from Providence, the state capital, has unexpectedly shut down.
Warwick Hooters Closes Due to Bridge Issues
The Hooters located on Airport Road in Warwick has permanently closed, the restaurant announced in a social media post. MSN noted that the closure is attributed to the recent shutdown of the Washington Bridge.
According to the post, the restaurant expressed regret over its indefinite closure, linking it to the collapse of the nearby bridge. The message highlighted a series of misfortunes, mentioning previous issues with the roof and now the bridge.
The Providence Journal revealed that the Hooters restaurant on Airport Road in Warwick, which was initially closed in 2015 after a March storm severely damaged its roof, has closed its doors again.
The restaurant had reopened five years later following extensive repairs costing approximately $450,000.
Despite the posted operating hours on its sign, notices on the door announce that the establishment is closed indefinitely.
The property, which includes the building, is owned by Brad Turchetta, nephew of the late Providence Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci Jr. Turchetta's company, Concord Realty, leases the property to Hooters of Warwick.
The building has historical significance. It previously housed Flyers, a restaurant run by the former mayor, who owned the property when Hooters opened in 1993.
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Additionally, Warwick Hooters was at the center of a federal lawsuit in 2016, where the parent company claimed that the site had been abandoned and was tarnishing the national brand.
Hooters attributes its success to a straightforward yet effective concept, combining elements that people universally enjoy. The company's success stems from offering delicious food, cold beer, and an abundance of sports broadcasted on numerous large-screen TVs throughout the restaurant.
Hooters highlights that including Hooters Girls in their unique dining experience enhances the simplicity of the concept, expressing surprise that such an obvious winning combination hadn't been thought of before.
Warwick Hooters and Other Restaurants Close, Fans Mourn
The closure of the Hooters restaurant in Warwick, Rhode Island, has gone viral, with fans sharing fond memories of their visits. One enthusiast recalled it as the first Hooters location they had ever visited, per The U.S. Sun.
Many diners fondly remembered enjoying chicken wings there, highlighting the restaurant's popularity. This Hooters was the only one in Rhode Island.
The closure in Warwick follows a similar incident months earlier, when the Lafayette, Louisiana, location shut down after 25 years. In February, as reported by The Washington Post, a candlelit vigil was organized in Charleston, West Virginia, to mourn the closure of other Hooters.
The shutdowns are not isolated to Hooters alone.
Noodles 102, another local establishment, announced it would close permanently on June 8. The owners regretted the decision, attributing it to harsh economic conditions and the ongoing I-195 bridge repairs.
These conditions were further complicated in December when a structural fault was found, prompting the closure of the bridge's westbound side. Repairs are expected to take several months.
In March, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee announced that the bridge would need to be demolished and replaced, costing between $250 and $300 million and potentially extending until 2026. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg acknowledged the ambitious nature of the timeline and committed federal support to meet the projected completion date.
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