PORTLAND, Maine — Newick’s Lobster House in South Portland closed unexpectedly on Wednesday.
Owner Steve Newick said a bad winter is partly to blame for the closing. He notified managers Tuesday of the closing.
Both customers and employees found an empty parking lot and locked doors when they arrived Wednesday.
Newick said this is something he’s been considering for some time. After the bad winter, sales haven’t been recovering, but one employee told CBS 13 she never saw the closure coming.
Newick said he thanks his customers and employees for a great four years.
He said any gift cards can be used at Newick’s other two locations in Concord and Dover, both in New Hampshire.
The Maine Department of Labor announced Thursday that it would send a Rapid Response team to help former employees of the restaurant. A session to inform laid-off workers of their rights and to offer other assistance will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at the Portland CareerCenter, 185 Lancaster St., in Portland.