Danville’s Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr says the last times he was in Danville’s Red Lobster at 3217 North Vermilion, it was always “at least half-full or more.” Williams says when word came Monday morning (May 13th) that the restaurant was suddenly closing and that the employees were laid off immediately, he was especially angry with how the employees were being treated.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: Even with people who have worked at this Red Lobster for decades who were given no warning, no notice. They come in for work today, and they’re just told “sorry, you’re career is over.” That’s just incredibly disrespectful.
Mayor Williams had stated in a statement on his Facebook page that Golden State Capital’s recent takeover of Red Lobster restaurants led to a completely new business approach; and now, numerous closures around the country. He expanded upon that with us.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: And that corporation started making all the restaurants pay them rent. And ours was around $12,000 a month. I guess the way it works is that you make money for the restaurant, the folks who own it; and then once who hit a certain threshold, I don’t know what that is; you start making money for corporate. And so I guess all of the places around the country that weren’t making enough for corporate were closed.
The mayor is hoping that the Red Lobster employees will seek the services of Vermilion County Works, similar to Quaker Oats employees after their recent Danville closure. As for the Red Lobster building, Mayor Williams says as far as he can tell the facility has been kept in very good shape over the years. He is hoping that will help recruit a new establishment to Danville.
