KENNESAW, Ga. — Bahama Breeze, the Caribbean inspired restaurant chain that drew customers with an island resort-like atmosphere, is closing its location in Kennesaw following the last meal on Saturday night.
The location won’t be empty long, though.
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The chain became a date night and special occasion destination for decades since it opened in 1999. The restaurant chain launched its first location in Florida in 1996.
Customers arrived at the restaurant on Wednesday for a final meal before it closes for good.
“I’m just completely devastated. I’m an island girl from Florida, and this is where we go. We drove from Newnan. I’m going to miss it big time,” said customer Brandi Kurtz.
“It’s where we always used to come for Mother’s Day. I got leftovers for my kids and a special order, mac and cheese,” said Alan Kurtz.
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General manager Marrell “Magic Man” Staten says he’s been touched by customers recalling special occasions at his restaurant.
“I’ve been hearing so many stories, it just hurt my heart a bit. There’s a lot of memories; people have gotten married here,” he said.
Darden Restaurants, which owns Bahama Breeze, decided to wind down operations because of a decline in sales, stating “the brand was no longer a strategic priority in its portfolio.”
The company opted to permanently close half of the remaining 28 locations and convert the other into different brand restaurants.
The culinary manager for the Kennesaw restaurant says she has an emotional bond with Bahama Breeze.
“I used to come here before I started working here, and I had my first dates here and stuff. And that’s what made me want to work here. It’s kind of like very sentimental for me,” said culinary manager Josephine Russo.
After the restaurant closes Saturday night, renovations will begin to transform the location into the Darden Restaurants brand Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, with a planned reopening on Sept. 23.
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