One of Florida’s most historic seafood restaurants is preparing to serve its final customers after more than five decades in business.

The oldest continuously operating Red Lobster location, based in Tallahassee, Florida, is officially scheduled to close on May 24, marking the end of an era for the iconic seafood chain. The closure was first reported by the Tallahassee Democrat.

While numerous Red Lobster locations shut down across the United States in 2024 as part of the company’s restructuring efforts, the Tallahassee restaurant had managed to remain open — until now.

Earlier this year, Damola Adamolekun acknowledged in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that the company needed to reduce the size of its restaurant footprint while reevaluating leases and underperforming locations.

A spokesperson for Red Lobster confirmed the closure, describing the restaurant as an important part of the company’s legacy.

“This restaurant holds a special place in Red Lobster’s history and has been a meaningful part of the community for decades,” the spokesperson said. “We’re grateful to the guests and employees who supported it throughout the years.”

The Tallahassee location first opened its doors in 1970, during a very different era in American dining. At the time, advertisements promoted the restaurant’s “outstanding food” and relaxed atmosphere. Menu prices were dramatically lower than today’s standards, with dishes like Shrimp Creole en Casserole priced at $1.95, baked oysters at $1.85, and a steak-and-lobster platter available for only $3.55.

Today, comparable surf-and-turf meals at many Red Lobster restaurants can cost close to $50 depending on the location.

The restaurant also became known for longtime employees who helped define its identity over the decades. Among them was head grillmaster Horace Williams, who spent more than 40 years cooking at the Tallahassee location.

“I take pride in the food,” Williams told the Tallahassee Democrat. “I cook it to look good enough that I’d want to eat it myself.”

The closure comes after a difficult financial period for the seafood chain. Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy protection in May 2024 following years of financial pressure, including losses connected to its widely discussed Endless Shrimp promotion. Reports estimated the popular $20 all-you-can-eat shrimp deal cost the company roughly $19 million in losses during 2023.

After receiving court approval to exit bankruptcy later in 2024, the company launched a major turnaround effort that included menu changes, marketing campaigns, and a renewed focus on profitability.

Red Lobster even leaned into humor during its recovery, promoting a new “SpendLESS Shrimp” campaign and partnering with Flavor Flav, who publicly supported the restaurant chain and later collaborated on a limited-time promotional menu.

Most recently, the company decided to revive its Endless Shrimp promotion again for a limited period, signaling that the chain is still trying to balance customer demand with long-term financial stability.

“This is about putting our guests first and bringing back something they truly love,” CEO Damola Adamolekun said in a statement earlier this year.

For many longtime customers in Tallahassee, however, the closing of the historic restaurant represents more than just the loss of a seafood chain — it marks the end of a nostalgic chapter that spanned generations.