Paula Deen is making headlines again. Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House, the Savannnah, Ga., restaurant owned by the celebrity chef, has mysteriously shut down.
The Associated Press reported that the popular restaurant, which was a focus of her racial slur controversy, has closed its doors. According to the Savannah Morning News, the closing officially took place Thursday. The announcement, which was also published on the restaurants Facebook page, read: "Thank you for 10 great years. Uncle Bubba's is now closed."
The closing left some workers upset. Workers reportedly arrived to work to find the restaurant's appliances being hauled out. Workers told TMZ that they were blindsided and were not informed that the restaurant would be shutting down, leaving them out of work.
The restaurant released a statement to the press which read: "Since its opening in 2004, Uncle Bubba's Oyster House has been a destination for residents and tourists in Savannah, offering the region's freshest seafood and oysters. However, the restaurant's owner and operator, Bubba Heirs, has made the decision to close the restaurant in order to explore development options for the waterfront property on which the restaurant is located. At this point, no specific plans have been announced and a range of uses are under consideration in order realize the highest and best use for the property."
"The closing is effective today, Thursday, April 3, 2014. Employees will be provided with severance based on position and tenure with the restaurant. All effort will be made to find employees comparable employment with other Savannah restaurant organizations."
Last year, Lisa Jackson, a former employee of Uncle Bubba's, filed a lawsuit against the celebrity chef and her co-owner brother, Earl W. "Bubba" Hiers Jr., claiming she experienced sexual harassment and mistreatment while working at the restaurant. Deen revealed she had used a racial slur 30 years ago.
The lawsuit caused Deen to lose her contract with the Food Network and be dropped by several of her sponsors. The charges were eventually dismissed, but the damage to Deen's reputation was already done.
