News Summary
Joe’s Crab Shack has permanently closed its location at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets in Bossier City. The closure is part of a trend affecting the shopping and entertainment complex, which has seen a wave of restaurant shutdowns. This is the only Joe’s Crab Shack in Louisiana, and it follows the recent closure of several other establishments. The Boardwalk now has limited dining options and faces challenges in sustaining its business operations. Efforts to assist displaced employees from Joe’s are being initiated by the company’s management.
Bossier City – Joe’s Crab Shack at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets in Bossier City, Louisiana, has officially shut its doors permanently as of June 2, 2025. A sign posted on the front entrance confirmed the closure, indicating that this locale has ceased operations. This marked the end of Joe’s Crab Shack’s presence in Louisiana, as it was the only remaining location in the state. Along with Joe’s, the Boardwalk has seen the recent closure of Hooter’s restaurant in April 2025, reducing its restaurant options significantly.
The Louisiana Boardwalk spans 560,000 square feet and previously hosted multiple dining and retail establishments. Currently, only two restaurants remain on site: Saltgrass Steak House and Sushiko Sushi and Grill. Saltgrass Steak House, along with Joe’s Crab Shack, is owned by Landry’s, Inc., a Houston-based company. Despite the wave of closures, the COO of Joe’s Crab Shack expressed appreciation for the two decades of service to the Shreveport and Bossier communities, asserting that efforts are underway to assist displaced employees in finding new positions.
In addition to Joe’s Crab Shack, Sweet Caroline’s Dueling Piano Bar has also ceased operations following its final night on May 31, 2025. The establishment operated for just 17 months before facing closure. The owner, DJ Roman, cited concerns regarding security, particularly during evening hours, as factors leading to the difficult decision to close and explore other opportunities.
The recent wave of closures at the Boardwalk reflects a broader trend of decline in business operations within the shopping and entertainment complex. At present, the number of shopping locations has dwindled to just 21 stores. Following the sale of the Boardwalk in 2022 to Routh Group for $30.5 million, reports indicated that the property was only 67% occupied. Routh Group and its partner, Commercial Retail Group, manage over 100 shopping centers across multiple states.
Over the past two years, the Boardwalk has seen significant losses, with notable closures including the IHOP restaurant, Hooters, and the Nike Factory Outlet Store. These developments raise concerns about the future viability of the Boardwalk as a shopping and dining destination.
Overall, as businesses like Joe’s Crab Shack and Sweet Caroline’s Dueling Piano Bar exit the Boardwalk, stakeholders will need to reassess strategies to revitalize the area and prevent further decline. The future of Saltgrass Steak House remains uncertain as its lease nears expiration, though no statements about its prospects have been added following the recent closures.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Closure of Businesses Signals Decline at Louisiana Boardwalk
Shreveport Launches Online Resource for Local Businesses
Joe’s Crab Shack Closes Its Louisiana Location
Bossier City Hooters Closes After 20 Years
Bossier City Hooters Closes After 20 Years of Service
Additional Resources
- Shreveport-Bossier Advocate: Joe’s Crab Shack Closure
- Wikipedia: Louisiana Boardwalk
- KTBS: Two More Businesses Close
- Google Search: Louisiana Boardwalk closures
- Bossier Now: Hooters Closure
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Business
- KSLA: Bossier City Makers Fair
- Google News: Bossier City business closures
