Local leaders rallying support for the New Phila Red Lobster
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (June 12, 2024) – Red Lobster officials are about to get flooded with letters urging them not to close the location across from New Towne Mall.
State Senator Al Landis and other community leaders have been rallying support for the eatery, which is among those on the chopping block as the restaurant chain undergoes bankruptcy proceedings.
“Will it make a difference? I’m optimistic that [it will] if they listen to us and they realize the importance of it in our community. Are other communities rallying around their restaurant? I don’t know, but I think if we don’t try then we’ve certainly lost.”
New Philadelphia Mayor Joel Day and Tuscarawas County Commissioner Kristen Zemis have joined Landis in his quest to save the eatery that has been part of our community since the 1990s. They’re trying to pressure the company to re-negotiate its lease on the property with a letter-writing campaign.
“We’re going to reach out to the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce, economic development, the mall management and try to collect as many letters as we can.”
Nearly a hundred Red Lobster locations nationwide have already shut down as the chain attempts to address its financial and operational challenges. Landis also encourages everyone to continue patronizing the one in New Phila to show why keeping it open is in the company’s best interest.