The Latin-inspired eatery Babalu, located on downtown Knoxville's Gay Street, has announced it will once again be closing its doors, marking the establishment's second cessation of operations. In a statement obtained by WVLT, the restaurant expressed gratitude for the decade's worth of memories and camaraderie built within the Knoxville community. According to another source, WATE, Babalu had previously shuttered under past management during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and was subsequently revived in 2021 after its acquisition by Maple Hall, presenting a revamped menu to its patrons.
Brian Tidwell, CEO of Babalu and Maple Hall, unveiled in an interview with Inside of Knoxville, that the past year observed a significant upsurge in restaurant bankruptcies, the highest since 2010, citing inflating costs and declining foot traffic; despite a surface-level increase in restaurant sales which he emphasized is misrepresentative as it is largely a result of price increases not increased customer volume. Tidwell highlighted the growth of specific markets and food types over the overall industry trends, showcasing the group's latest venture, Red Chimney Pizza, a pizza restaurant opened in Tellico Plains.
The impending closure of Babalu is slated for June 29, and in the lead-up to its final month, a public invitation from the current ownership has been extended to the community to commemorate the end of an era with celebration. "It is with deep appreciation and sadness that we share this difficult news: After nearly a decade in downtown Knoxville, and four unforgettable years under our ownership, Babalu will be closing its doors on June 29th," Babalu owners stated on Facebook, and as reported by WATE.
Amid the shutdown, efforts to assist the Babalu staff in finding new employment are underway, with Tidwell indicating a desire to aid his team's transition to new opportunities, either within the Maple Hall group or elsewhere; Kevin Rice, co-owner of the restaurant underscored the group's commitment to their work force and their gratitude to the customers who supported Babalu over the years, "We want to go out with a celebration with our customers, celebrating the good times and the memories we’ve created. The team has worked hard and we’re hoping to help them find a place with us or elsewhere,” Tidwell detailed in his conversation with Inside of Knoxville.
Rice, keen to maintain the group's involvement in the local economy, referenced new ventures, including the wood fired pizza place at Tellico Plains and the anticipation of introducing a fresh concept to Knoxville in the near term, “We are proud of our team and thank all of those who frequented Babalu. I hope people continue to support local businesses. We just opened a wood fired pizza place in Tellico Plains and hope to open a new concept in Knoxville in the near future,” Rice told Inside of Knoxville.
