Carrabba’s: Closing Long Island Stores Was a “Business Decision”
When Bloomin Brands, the company that owns Carrabba’s Italian Grill, decided to suddenly close their Long Island locations it came as a shock to many who enjoyed the restaurants. That decision, according to a spokesperson for the company, was purely business based.
“Deciding to close a restaurant is never easy,” said Elizabeth Daly, director of media and community relations for Bloomin Brands, in an emailed statement to LongIslandRestaurants.com. “This was a business decision and is not a reflection of the management or staff.”
Both the Smithtown and Central Islip locations of Carrabba’s on Long Island closed permanently on Friday night. The news led some to lament that a staple restaurant was no more and others with concerns over the workers at both locations.
“We appreciate the community’s support over the years,” said Daly. “Employees who do not transfer to another location will be offered a severance package.”
The two Carrabba’s locations were at 20 N Research Place in Central Islip and 730 Smithtown Bypass in Smithtown.
Bloomin Brands announced recently that company-wide it was closing 41 underperforming stores but will be opening 45 new ones. Dalyn said that the company has no plan to open any new stores on Long Island as of now.
As of yet there is no word on what, if anything, is planned to replace the shuttered restaurant sites. Bloomin Brands said it will not be replacing those store locations with any of their brand name restaurants..
📷 Ildar Sagdejev (Specious), CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons.
