MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Bar Louie is on the way out of Overton Square.
Employees at Bar Louie walked out during their shift after they learned the restaurant was closing, leaving customers waiting on their food and drinks.
“We were the ones who informed the server they were closing down,” customer Victoria Brown said.
Brown says she has many questions on why one of her favorite restaurants is shutting its doors.
“Our server didn’t know, so he was upset. Once he informed the kitchen everyone started walking out,” Brown said. “So it was a really a sad moment.”
Landlord Loeb Properties told WREG they negotiated a deal to buy Bar Louie out of its lease.
“We have had a lot of interest from restaurateurs over the past couple of years wanting to come to Overton Square, but we have had no space available,” Bob Loeb said. “This gives us a very visible location to offer to other restaurateurs.”
“I started seeing employees they were talking with each other. They started leaving, and we started seeing new customers walk in,” Brown said. “They were told they were closed at that point and couldn’t get any service, so I was one of the last customers to be able to get some food.”
The company that owns the Bar Louie franchise released a statement saying the restaurants are continuing to expand nationwide and are sad to be leaving the Memphis location.
“Unfortunately, our franchised Bar Louie Memphis location, which is owned by Memphis Louie, LLC, a franchisee, was not thriving at its location in Overton Square and, after the franchisee filed bankruptcy in early 2017, the franchisee has chosen to close unexpectedly.
A man was stabbed outside of the restaurant and another was slashed in the cheek after an argument at the bar.
It’s unclear if this is the reason Bar Louie is closing.
Related: Man in critical condition after stabbing outside Overton Square bar
” I have mixed feelings about it because I love Bar Louie, but I’m excited about what’s going on at the square. I visit this place often, probably about three days a week, so I’m excited. As long as they continue to boost up security, it will be a good thing going on,” she said.
Bar Louie, a national chain with more than 130 locations, occupied the corner spot in Overton Square at Cooper and Madison.
No word yet on what will replace the Overton Sqaure restaurant, but Loeb Properties says Hopdoddy Burger Bar and a Chipotle will both open within 90 days nearby.
“It’s an up and coming place. Plus a lot of people are here, and it attracts a lot of tourist as well. So I think it could be very good for the city,” Porshae Tony said.
Lafayette’s is also expanding into bay where The Attic closed.
