Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux near Independence Mall closes doors abruptly

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A sports bar that opened nearly three years ago in Wilmington has unexpectedly shut its doors. 

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux near Independence mall is closing. News of their closing has apparently taken many by surprise. It was abrupt, they were just open on Monday. 

As of Tuesday morning, there is a sign posted on the door that reads in part: 

“We are writing to you with a heavy heart to announce that Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux has closed its doors for the last time.” 

Stephone Smith said he and his wife are celebrating more than 30 years of marriage and all they wanted was to visit their favorite restaurant. He was shocked when he was greeted by locked doors and an empty parking lot. 

“We find out that Walk-On’s is closed when we come here to finish celebrating our anniversary. A shock. We had a taste for a burger and fries. This place has always been good,” Smith said. 

A Walk-On’s representative said they are just as caught off guard about the Wilmington franchise closing its doors as everyone else is. The representative said it’s a franchisee problem and they were given no reason as to why the location needed to close. 

As for Smith, he said he and his wife have been regular customers of Walk-On’s ever since it opened in Wilmington. He said he is concerned that many of its now former employees may experience difficulty finding a new job with such short notice. 

“The individuals that work here, the staff were very pleasant staff. The smiles and making you feel, a personal touch,” Smith said. 

The representative with Walk-On’s also said that the business hopes to return to the Carolinas at some point, after also experiencing closures at its Myrtle Beach and Fayetteville locations.