East Side Mario's closes
Hey budda boom budda closed.
East Side Mario’s, the Italian-inspired eatery in Aberdeen Mall, is no longer.
“After proudly serving the community for approximately 10 years, East Side Mario’s regrettably had to close its Kamloops location this past weekend,” reads an official statement provided to KTW by a public-relations firm representing the chain.
KTW had called Prime Restaurants, the parent company of East Side Mario’s, to inquire about the closure.
“The franchisees and staff had been working together to overcome the challenges facing the restaurant,” the statement continued, adding there are no plans for the Kamloops location to re-open.
Until recently, there were more than 80 East Side Mario’s restaurants in Canada and two in the United States.
However, the chain appears to be in trouble and has abruptly closed a number of locations across Canada in recent weeks.
In Dartmouth, N.S., local media reported staff being caught by surprise about the closure of an East Side Mario’s last month.
Closer to home, the Vernon location has also been shuttered.
The Kelowna restaurant remains open.
Representatives from Aberdeen Mall did not return calls before KTW’s press deadline.
FILLING THE GAP AT ABERDEEN MALL?
When one door closes, another one opens — and that’s exactly what’s rumoured to be happening at Aberdeen Mall.
Mall staff are staying silent, but word around the shopping centre is that The Gap is set to make its long-overdue debut in the Tournament Capital.
The clothing giant is expected to occupy the space currently home to Chatters Hair Salon, on the lower level near the entrance to The Bay, along with a currently vacant store next door.
Chatters would move to a larger location within the mall.
Attempts by KTW to contact a representative of The Gap were unsuccessful.
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