Longtime Raleigh Dining Staple Brio Italian Grille Closes Abruptly After 15 Years
Brio Italian Grille, a favorite of Raleigh’s Crabtree Valley Mall for over 15 years, has closed its doors for good. The restaurant, which offered upscale Italian fare in the popular shopping center, quietly shut down this week, according to a recorded message on the restaurant’s phone line and its website.
A Surprising End for Brio Raleigh
Many Brio customers were shocked to learn of the closure. One posted in a Raleigh Facebook group that their weekend reservation was canceled without warning. The abrupt closure leaves a void in the area, as Brio was a go-to spot for casual, yet sophisticated dining in the mall.
This marks another loss for the Brio brand, which has seen a decline in locations across the U.S. Over the past few years, several Brio restaurants have permanently closed, including locations in other major shopping malls.
The End of an Era at Crabtree Valley Mall
Brio Italian Grille first opened its doors in Raleigh in 2009. It catered to patrons seeking hearty Italian dishes in a cozy, upscale atmosphere. The restaurant was part of a broader trend of mall-based dining, similar to chains like Macaroni Grill and Maggiano’s.
With the closure of the Raleigh location, Brio now has only one remaining restaurant in North Carolina, situated within Harrah’s Casino Resort in Cherokee.
A National Decline for Brio
Once a staple in malls across the country, Brio’s national footprint has shrunk in recent years, with fewer locations and a reduction in the brand’s visibility. The closures are part of a wider trend among mall-based chains struggling with changing consumer habits and the shifting dynamics of shopping centers.
More…
- https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article311760827.htmlÂ
- https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/upscale-italian-restaurant-chain-abruptly-225943718.htmlÂ
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/brio-italian-grille-closes-crabtree-valley-mall-location-in-raleigh-after-15-yearsÂ