Melissa Pasanen
The closed Outback Steakhouse in South Burlington
Two area eateries have closed over the last 12 days: Outback Steakhouse in South Burlington and Vermont Sandwich Company in Williston.
Vermont's sole Outback Steakhouse closed permanently on Sunday, May 24, confirmed the location's managing partner, Tonisha Farrell, over the phone. She said that the restaurant's 40 to 50 part- and full-time employees were all receiving severance.
Farrell cited an expiring lease as the sole reason for closure. She said it had nothing to do with the challenges restaurants are facing due to the pandemic.
"If the lease wasn't up in June, we'd still be here," Farrell said.
According to a message on
its website, Vermont Sandwich Company in Williston closed "indefinitely" on May 15 after 25 years of business.
"We hope to return at some point in the future, but for now the financial hardship makes it impossible," wrote owner Jim Arpey.
Attempts to reach the restaurant by email and phone were not successful.