Restaurant Closes 'Abruptly' Without Telling Staff
Workers at Roux 61 restaurant in Baton Rouge were reportedly left stunned when they were told on Saturday that the business was abruptly closing.
According to WBRZ, one employee says the group was given no prior notice of the shut down. Instead, the message was delivered via text message following the final shift on Saturday.
WBRZ added that as of Sunday night, cleanup crews were on site clearing out the building. The entire restaurant is expected to be emptied by Wednesday.
Owner Jason Lees told WAFB that financial issues were not the cause of the closure. Rather, Lees said he came upon “great opportunity to sell the real estate.”
While the Baton Rouge Roux 61 is no longer, the restaurant's other outpost in Natchez remains open. Lees also said he is looking to pursue a new Baton Rouge location.
All of that is well and good, but it doesn't help out any of the employees who were left scrambling by the establishment's sudden shuttering.
On the WBRZ Facebook page, news of Roux 61 closing its doors sparked a variety of reactions from readers.
"It’s ironic how employees are expected to give two weeks notice, yet companies can shut down without warning or communication," one person commented.
"Yay! Another empty store front in Baton Rouge. Yay," a second person said.
"Literally was just there Thursday," a third commenter added.
"This place was my home for 4 years. I'm gonna miss this place and my family I worked with," a fourth person lamented.
You can find the official Roux 61 website here.