Joe’s Crab Shack closes

Joe’s Crab Shack in Oceanside abruptly closed Sept. 27. A sign was left on the door, and the exterior lighting, signs and fixtures were removed.

Employees were never notified, according to comments on social media.

Another location in Riverhead also shuttered, but the Westbury and Deer Park eateries remain open.

Ignite Restaurant Group, based in Houston, Texas, owns Joe’s Crab Shack and Brick House Tavern and Tap restaurants. Last June the company announced that it was closing restaurants in Harlem, Newark and the Bronx.

Company sales dropped 6.8 percent during the first half of the year, and stockholders’ equity is operating at a deficient.

The Oceanside Joe’s Crab Shack was known for oversized alcoholic drinks, tubs of seafood, and wait staff who would take to the floor and dance from time to time.

The chain was founded in Houston in 1991. According to its website, it brings 100 percent “shore-fresh” seafood, authentic flavors and Southern flair to more than 130 locations 30 states. Joe’s menu features 25 crab dishes, in addition to fish, lobster, mussels, clams and shrimp. The company supports causes in every neighborhood that it serves and is a leading national partner with Autism Speaks and the Share Our Strength No Kid Hungry Campaign.

Locally Joe’s sponsored carwahes and other fund raisers to help our cchools and community organizations and clubs.

November 2015, Joe’s tried a new no-tipping policy at 18 locations. “It’s simple, really. We believe that consistently great service should always be included in the menu price, so we are taking the responsibility for paying the service staff,” Ray Blanchette, CEO of Ignite Restaurants, said. “I personally believe tipping is an antiquated model, and you have seen most businesses in America migrate away from it over the last 50 to 100 years.” Menu prices increased because of the policy. Ultimately, the company discontinued the no-tipping practice after sales dropped 10 percent.

There have been rumors that Green Turtle Restaurants might be looking at the site.

Greg Pitkoff, a Green Turtle spokesman, said the company has two sites on Long Island, one in Franklin Square and one in East Meadow. “These sites are operated by our franchisee with a development agreement in place to open 10 locations total throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties,” he said. “In line with those plans, the franchisee and the Greene Turtle corporate team are aggressively seeking out properties that meet the chain’s high standards for location, accessibility and surrounding business and residential demographics. No deals have been signed for any additional properties at this time. However, the chain is working with the franchisee to review real-estate options in both counties and hopes to be announcing more new locations soon.”