After a notable tenure anchoring a corner of Rittenhouse Square, Devon Seafood Grill is slated to close its doors permanently, signaling an end of more than a quarter-century legacy. According to the Philadelphia Business Journal, the establishment is expected to cease operations on January 1, impacted by the “inability to make a concept change due to condominium regime,” as mentioned in a filing under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN). Positioned at 225 S. 18th St. since 1999, Devon Seafood Grill not only offered an array of sea-centric fare but also stood as an integral part of the area’s dining scene.
With the impending shutdown of this location, 76 employees will face unemployment, igniting concerns for their immediate future, though Landry’s Inc., the company at Devon Seafood Grill’s helm, has indicated a potential for affected staff to transition to its other ventures in Philadelphia and New Jersey. Running through the termination dates of January 1-3, 2025, the closure’s sweeping repercussions are palpable. As reported by abc27 News, this shutdown adds to a string of recent closures by Landry’s Inc. in Philadelphia, another being The Chart House, which is scheduled to close at the end of November.
Notably, Devon Seafood Grill’s tenure spanned over 25 years, celebrating numerous occasions and holidays with their patrons. Located in the vicinity of historic Rittenhouse Square, the restaurant boasted an ambiance that has been captivating visitors and locals alike, promising a fresh seafood and steak experience. Its significance as a social establishment was encapsulated by its website, which professed it to be the “ideal place to celebrate a date night, girls’ night or a much-needed happy hour.” Despite its closure, branches of Devon Seafood + Steak remain in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.
This current fold-up forms a piece of a broader narrative for Landry’s Inc., a hospitality juggernaut under the leadership of CEO Tilman J. Fertitta, recently listed by Forbes among the 400 Richest People in America. As an international operator in dining and entertainment, the decision to close these longstanding outlets points towards a strategic redirection or possible real estate challenges, a phenomenon not isolated to Devon Seafood Grill. In a statement referenced by NBC10, a spokesperson conveyed the difficult resolution to terminate the lease, also highlighting the intent to place employees at other affiliate locations.
The broader community effects, hinged on these closures, extend to the patrons who have frequented these establishments for years, marking significant events and milestones within their walls. As the curtains come down on Devon Seafood Grill, it leaves behind legacies of conviviality and culinary excellence that have over two and a half decades, become intertwined with Philadelphia’s cultural tapestry. Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves and as more information is made available to the public eye.
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