Louisiana Boardwalk Faces Major Business Exits

Categories: Louisiana Business NewsLouisiana LifestyleLouisiana NewsLouisiana Restaurant

Recent closures at the Louisiana Boardwalk have left many dining areas empty.

News Summary

The Louisiana Boardwalk has seen significant closures recently, with Sweet Caroline’s Dueling Piano Bar and Joe’s Crab Shack shutting down. This follows other high-profile exits, raising concerns over the Boardwalk’s declining occupancy and economic vitality. Stakeholders are looking for solutions to revive this once-popular destination.

Bossier City – The Louisiana Boardwalk has faced significant business losses in recent days, with the abrupt closures of two restaurants, Sweet Caroline’s Dueling Piano Bar and Joe’s Crab Shack. Sweet Caroline’s, which had been in operation for 17 months, marked its last night of service on May 31, while Joe’s Crab Shack, which had been a staple since the Boardwalk’s opening in 2005, was closed without prior warning on June 1.

A notice announcing the immediate closure of Joe’s Crab Shack was posted on its door, revealing that this location was the last remaining Joe’s Crab Shack in Louisiana. These closures come on the heels of other high-profile business exits from the Boardwalk in the past two years, including IHOP, Hooters, and the Nike Factory Outlet Store. Currently, the remaining dining options at the Boardwalk are limited to Saltgrass Steak House and Sushiko Sushi and Grill, following the recent closure of Hooters, which was attributed to its lease expiring rather than bankruptcy.

The current strain on the Louisiana Boardwalk’s retail and dining landscape has been a growing concern for local stakeholders. In 2022, the Boardwalk was sold to the Routh Group for $30.5 million, reportedly at 67% occupancy. Originally, the Boardwalk opened with over 70 retail stores and restaurants, but the attrition rate has been alarming for a location that was once expected to thrive as a premier entertainment complex.

Although the loss of Sweet Caroline’s and Joe’s Crab Shack marks yet another chapter of decline, the owner of Sweet Caroline’s has highlighted ongoing security issues at the Boardwalk, particularly during late hours. Despite these challenges, he believes there are still opportunities for revitalization and success at the entertainment complex. The recent closures indicate a troubling trend that has not only affected food and beverage establishments but the overall economic vitality of the Boardwalk.

The leadership at Joe’s Crab Shack acknowledged the restaurant’s deep-rooted connection to the Shreveport/Bossier community, noting that it had served customers for 20 years. In light of the closure, efforts are underway to find new job opportunities for displaced workers within the company’s other locations across the region.

As of now, the Louisiana Boardwalk’s official website still lists 21 shopping locations and continues to feature closed restaurants as part of its dining options, although these establishments are no longer operational. The community is left to wonder what measures, if any, will be taken to address the declining occupancy and regain the Boardwalk’s status as a sought-after destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

As Bossier City reflects on these recent developments, the future of the Louisiana Boardwalk and its ability to attract and retain businesses remains uncertain. Stakeholders and local patrons alike hope for strategic initiatives to rejuvenate this once-thriving landmark.