Lone Star stops sizzlin'; 68 jobs lost

This story was written for the weekly and repurposed for the South Lee Growth section on Sunday.

The building that once occupied the Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon in south Fort Myers is vacant and steak lovers will have to go elsewhere for a cut of meat or shrimp and lobster tails.

The casual style dining franchise company closed the location, citing a slow economy and the restaurant's low numbers.

"It was a business decision and that restaurant just simply didn't perform to the standards that we expected," said spokesman Rick Van Warner. "We have no plans in the near future to open another location."

Closing the U.S. 41 location was a difficult decision but was not based on the restaurants managers or employees, Van Warner said.

"It was not a reflection of the managers or anything the employees did ... it was just business," said Van Warner noting that 63 part-time and 5 full-time employees lost their jobs after the closing. "The restaurant business is in a difficult climate right now and it was something we had to do."

Van Warner said all employees will receive severance pay based on their tenure and hours worked.

"We expect that they will find jobs at other restaurants ... the restaurant business is flushed with jobs," said Van Warner adding that the building will remain vacant until it is sold.

The building's signage has been removed and only a letter of thanks to customers remains, inviting them to the nearest location in Orlando. Six other restaurants were closed in Florida.

The company now operates 153 franchises around the nation and employees couldn't be transferred because most restaurants were closed in Florida, Van Warner said.