FINANCE
F or many residents of Danville, Illinois, the Red Lobster on North Vermilion Street was the go-to spot for special occasions. If there was a birthday, anniversary or other celebration on the calendar, chances are a basket of Ched- dar Bay Biscuits and a plate of shrimp or lobster would be part of the plan. Not only was the food good and the service friendly, but the seafood specialist also had little competition in the central Illinois city of about 28,000 people. On weekends, customers could expect to wait for a table, and on holidays like Mother’s Day, it was typical for the line to stretch out the door. For more than 30 years, Red Lobster filled this unique role in Danville, a working-class community perhaps best known as the hometown of Dick Van Dyke. Then, all of a sudden, it was gone. IN A SMALL ILLINOIS CITY, RED LOBSTER LEAVES A BIG VOID THE SHUTTERED SEAFOOD RESTAURANT HAD BEEN A MAINSTAY IN DANVILLE, WHICH IS WORKING TO OVERCOME PAST ECONOMIC CHALLENGES. BY JOE GUSZKOWSKI
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RESTAURANT BUSINESS OCTOBER 2024
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