Oceanaire closes
Employees at the seafood behemoth on Washington Square got the word this morning from corporate.
Oceanaire closes
Michael Klein, Philly.com
The 50 employees at Oceanaire, the seldom-busy seafood behemoth on Washington Square, got the word this morning from corporate:
It's closed.
A corporate spokeswoman said the Minneapolis-based chain -- founded by a guy from Camden, N.J. -- has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and shuttered a few locations.
Oceanaire opened in late 2006 in a soaring-ceilinged, art-deco space in what was a PSFS building on the south side of Walnut between Seventh and Eighth. As I wrote then: "It's easy to see why people liken the decor to that of a cruise ship; it's spacious and plush on two levels, with romantic banquettes and more utilitarian tables."
This is one I’ll miss. While it was seldom filled, I thought they had a fabulous staff and menu. Excellent food, great space. Best of luck. Whatever’s next, I’m full on steak houses.— Jack O
Comment removed.- This is too bad. Everytime something closes or goes into bankruptcy, a little piece of us goes down with them. A very sad situation.— Stanley Levin
- Comment removed.
- to contrast, i had 3 extremely disapointing meals here. The food was good on one of the trips but the bill was high all three times. the staff was obviously very competent but i found them occassionally pushy. I also experienced long wait times for the food on once occasion where the place was practically empty. There is too much competition right now to survive with so many faults— danF
- The laid off employees might be covered by the WARN Act (the federal plant closing law) which requires 60 days notice when a workplace is shut down or the equivalent amount of pay.— nh7
