It’s officially lights out on a popular restaurant and bar after abruptly closing down.
After 55 years slinging drinks and plates of Southern comfort food, Nashville-based hot spot O’Charley’s has closed all remaining locations. Earlier this year, the national chain had 52 restaurants, according to multiple reports.
All locations closed down on Wednesday, September 9, and every one of its social media platforms was disabled shortly after shutting down — including its website.
The 55-year-old beloved local spot was famous for its Southern-inspired menu — especially its hand-breaded chicken tenders, signature honey mustard dressing and complimentary rolls. Multiple sources revealed the closures were a shock to staff — who had little to no notice.
Former employees spoke with local outlet WKRN, who all shared memories from their time working at the restaurant — revealing it was more than just a job for them.
“It was just really a bummer. Like, I have friends who have said that they’ve been crying, they can’t sleep because so many memories built there over the years, and it’s, it’s hard to see it go,” said former employee Leslie Bolin.
“It was my first serving job, and I learned so much valuable information. And I worked with so many amazing people. You know, it’s kind of more than a restaurant. Some places are more than places to you. They are they really grow to be a part of your life,” Bolin added.
Loyal diners even flooded a local Tennessee mayor’s Facebook post, as customers headed into their local locations to grab some grub one last time.
“A friend and I went today. The food was good and our server was really nice. She hugged us when we left. She said she had been there almost 14 years. I heard another server say that he found out yesterday after seeing it on Facebook,” one user wrote.
Another sad diner was “sick” at how abrupt the closure came and wrote, “I am just sick that O’Charley’s has closed as of today. It was my favorite place to eat in Dickson. I am also saddened for all the people that have suddenly lost their jobs.”
The restaurant was originally founded by Charles Watkins on 21st Avenue near Vanderbilt University in 1971. It was later sold in 1984 to David Watchel, an executive at Shoney’s — a popular all-you-can-eat buffet —who expanded the chain to 45 locations by 1993.
By this year, the company had almost 55 locations serving customers across 13 states in the South and Midwest.
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