News Summary
Sweet Caroline’s Dueling Piano Bar in Bossier City will close its doors permanently on June 1, 2025, after hosting farewell parties from May 21-24 and May 28-31. Co-owner D.J. Rowan acknowledged the inevitability of the closure after evaluating operational statistics. This decision follows the closure of Hooters at the Louisiana Boardwalk, which has recently undergone significant changes. Bossier City officials are optimistic about future upgrades to attract sustainable businesses and enhance the visitor experience.
Bossier City – Sweet Caroline’s Dueling Piano Bar will officially close its doors permanently on June 1, 2025, as announced on May 20, 2025. The establishment, which has been operating for a little over 18 months, has decided to host farewell parties in its final days, taking place from May 21-24 and May 28-31.
The decision to permanently shut down follows the recent closure of the Hooters restaurant located at the Louisiana Boardwalk. Hooters of America filed for bankruptcy on March 31, 2025, but the Boardwalk’s location was reportedly a separate entity and not affected by the bankruptcy. After nearly 20 years of business, the Hooters establishment chose not to renew its lease.
D.J. Rowan, the co-owner of Sweet Caroline’s, expressed gratitude for the experiences garnered over the past 17 months, highlighting that after an evaluation of operational statistics, it was clear that the time had come to close the bar, recognizing that sometimes businesses have their own natural lifecycle. Moreover, Rowan hinted at a possible future business venture, emphasizing that no prospects should be completely ruled out.
The closure of Sweet Caroline’s adds to ongoing changes at the Louisiana Boardwalk, as discussed by city officials. Bossier City Councilman-at-Large Chris Smith remarked on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Boardwalk’s structure. He suggested the implementation of upgrades and the potential introduction of “micro stores” to enhance visitor experiences. These shifts coincided with efforts to diversify and enrich food options available at the Boardwalk.
Significant investments have also been made at the facility, notably by The Simple Church, which invested approximately $30 million into the Boardwalk. Smith conveyed optimism about the future potential of the Boardwalk, drawing comparisons to the developments experienced on the East Bank over the preceding decade.
Bossier City Mayor Tommy Chandler conveyed sadness regarding the impending closure of Sweet Caroline’s, underlining the establishment’s significance to the community. He reaffirmed the importance of the Louisiana Boardwalk as a central hub for local entertainment and dining.
Meanwhile, Hooters management expressed their appreciation for the support received from the community over the years, encouraging patrons to visit other Hooters locations throughout Louisiana as the Boardwalk transitions toward a new chapter.
As of the time of this report, Bossier City officials have not received feedback from the management team at the Louisiana Boardwalk concerning the future direction of the facility. Ongoing discussions are taking place about ways to revitalize the Boardwalk to attract sustainable tenants, although it is acknowledged that the city has limited influence over matters directly related to private ownership.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- KSLA: Louisiana Boardwalk Business Closure
- Wikipedia: Bossier City
- Bossier Now: Sweet Caroline’s Closure
- Google Search: Louisiana Boardwalk
- K945: Hooters Closure Announcement
- Google Scholar: Louisiana Boardwalk Business
- Shreveport-Bossier Advocate: Bossier City Challenges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Business Closure
- KTBS: Hooters Closes Bossier City Location
- Google News: Bossier City Business Update
