A well-liked Mexican restaurant chain has suddenly shut down another of its locations, adding to a series of closures that started earlier this year. The latest to close was the Chuy's Tex-Mex at Country Club Plaza, which shut its doors this past weekend.
As a result, employees are now urgently looking for new jobs. Meanwhile, the closure has raised concerns among locals about the future viability of the mall where the restaurant was located. Fans of the chain are expressing their sadness over the loss of this popular dining spot.
Chuy's Closes Last Kansas City Location
A Chuy's Tex-Mex restaurant at the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri, has permanently closed, continuing financial challenges for the chain. Eat This posted that a notice on the door announced the closure, expressing regret for any inconvenience and gratitude for years of customer loyalty.
This closure marks the end of Chuy's presence in Kansas City following the shutdown of two other locations in recent years. The reasons for closing the Country Club Plaza restaurant remain unknown, and Chuy's has not commented.
Earlier this year, the chain also closed its Lakewood, Colorado, location, as reported by Nation's Restaurant News. Despite these setbacks, Chuy's maintains a significant presence nationwide, with 101 restaurants still operating as of late March.
This recent closure reflects broader struggles for Chuy's, which reported a 5.2% decrease in same-store sales and nearly a 7% drop in customer traffic last quarter. The company attributed these declines to poor weather conditions and the timing of Easter this year.
Meanwhile, according to The U.S. Sun, locals have expressed mixed reactions to the sudden closure of the Chuy's Tex-Mex restaurant at the Plaza. Concerns are growing about the future of the area.
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One fan noted on Facebook that the now-closed Kansas City and Olathe locations were always busy, expressing disappointment over losing a favored dining spot. Yet, many locals are not surprised by the closure.
Some community members fear that the Plaza might eventually lose all its businesses, while others have recently observed an increasing number of vacant spaces in the area. Residents have a shared hope that the property owners will address these issues to prevent the Plaza from becoming deserted.
One person even mentioned concerns that the mall might soon become a "ghost town."
Employees Face Sudden Job Loss at Chuy's
On Sunday, KSHB reported that Kaden Weir was working a double shift at Chuy's when he was unexpectedly informed of the restaurant's closure. His colleague, Ian Kearney, learned about the shutdown before his shift, realizing he no longer had a job.
Both noted that this sudden closure wasn't new for Chuy's; previous locations had shut down without notice.
Despite this, there's hope for the displaced employees. KC Discover announced that T'ähä Mexican Kitchen, a new restaurant on West Plaza, is offering jobs to those affected by Chuy's closure. Weir expressed gratitude for the community support and the new job opportunities.
Jose Gomez, co-owner of T'ähä, said the restaurant's name means "dream" in Otomi, a native language from central Mexico. The Gomez family has operated restaurants for 25 years and is bringing their experience to Kansas City. T'ähä is now one of the few Mexican eateries on the Plaza, aiming to offer a unique perspective on Mexican cuisine.
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