PANERA has confirmed the permanent closure of a location after the fast food chain was given an eviction notice in July.
In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, about 107 miles west of Philadelphia, a Panera location shuttered its doors this week.
Although the closing isn't unexpected for residents.
The establishment was served an eviction notice two months ago from the commercial property firm, The Vartan Group, per local ABC News outlet, WHTM.
The Vartan Group created the Susquehanna Union Green development property where the Panera was located.
CEO Ralph Vartan explained that the eviction filing was made due to Panera's "temporary closure" notice that has allegedly lasted since October 2022.
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Given The Vartan Group's actions, the restaurant looked as though it was going to close for good in July, but it remained open throughout August.
Panera representatives even contradicted the claims from Vartan that the location would be permanently closed until recently, when a rep noted to WHTM that it would, in fact, be gone for good.
It's unclear why the Panera remained temporarily closed for so long or what might've caused the shutdown in the first place.
The U.S. Sun has contacted Panera for further comment on the situation.
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Vartan also told the outlet that another restaurant would fill Panera's space in their development, but they haven't confirmed what chain that might be.
Several restaurants already sit within Vartan's Susquehanna Union Green development, including Potato Coop, featuring a variety of potato-based menu items, and Playa Bowls, a popular chain that sells various acai bowls and smoothie options.
The grand opening of Playa Bowls takes place on September 16 and 17, according to the news station.
Panera has also come under fire from customers recently after cutting down its menu items.
As The U.S. Sun previously reported, some locations dealt out smaller menus, with several fan-favorite items seemingly vanishing from customers' grasp.
At least three percent of Panera's locations within the United States are currently testing the smaller menu, per Los Angeles' KTLA.
The remaining menu items include flatbread pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and desserts among other selections.
Although at least 50 items on the larger menu have allegedly been cut, per a fan Reddit thread.
A Panera spokesperson explained to the outlet that the company routinely tests different menu options at select locations "with the goal of providing a faster and more convenient guest experience while also simplifying operations for our associates."
"We routinely run these tests to identify new ways to better serve our guests, whether that’s through menu innovation, simplification, or new technology," the company added.
Some customers online were not thrilled.
"Wait wait wait what? Those are all the most popular things I feel like," wrote one Reddit user.
"Is this for all corporate and franchise?"
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For more related content, check out The U.S. Sun's coverage of a Panera fan's terrifying discovery about a popular drink.
The U.S. Sun also has the story of the major change Panera made to how customers order.
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