This location is next door to River Park Square in the Old City Hall building. The closure has been called strictly a business decision as this Olive Garden had been underperforming for some time. This has been based by some on the more prepared, non-authentic nature of the Olive Garden chain.
The location closed at the end of the business day on May 23rd. . 80 people worked at the Downtown Olive Garden, all of which will be laid off and invited to re-apply for other openings within the chain's system. A source tells INBW that employees we're given a severance package of two weeks pay.
Also, we are hearing that business has been slowing at the Olive Garden location in Coeur d' Alene although it still remains open for business. The only two Olive Garden locations in the Inland Northwest are now-
North Spokane - 9780 N. Newport Hwy - Northpointe Shopping Center
Coeur d' Alene - 525 W. Canfield Ave.
There is no known replacement or renovation plan for the space the restaurant chain occupied in the building. The Old City Hall building has struggled itself to secure retail and restaurant tenants with a largely vacant second floor ( except Bozzi Gallery and a couple other small tenants ).
Olive Garden is a brand of the larger Darden Restaurants, also of Orlando,FL . In addition to some growing brands, Darden also once owned Red Lobster restaurants who have also had some sales issues in recent months / years.
There are no planned closures for Inland Northwest area Red Lobster restaurants.
For more information on Olive Garden, including menu information visit their web site at-
