Knox Abbott Drive Red Lobster to close as part of corporate bankruptcy plan

Cayce, SC 08/26/2024 (Paul Kirby) – The Red Lobster at 1270 Knox Abbott Drive will be closed by the end of this week as a part of its parent company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan the chain announced today. The Cayce location is one of 23 locations that are the latest to be closed.

Red Lobster has been a mainstay of that part of Knox Abbott Drive and Cayce for many years. It was one of many restaurants that were destinations for the middle class as they celebrated birthdays, special occasions like Mothers’ Day, Valentines Day, anniversaries, and graduations with a trip to the iconic seafood eatery.

As interest in chain fast casual restaurants has dwindled over the last few decades, you could begin to see it in establishments like Red Lobster. Floor carpeting thinned, tabletops showed wear and tear from their heyday, and servers struggled to keep patrons glasses full as their hours were cut and staffing across the house was thinned.

It’s not known how long the building will sit empty or what, if anything, will try to revive the location into something else. Until then, former Red Lobster patrons will have to look elsewhere for a place to celebrate being comfortably middle class with things like all you can eat shrimp and fruity tropical drinks from the bar.