Shari’s Café and Pies, a well-known family-style restaurant chain, has closed all 42 of its locations across Oregon, according to information shared by the Oregon Lottery. The closure was confirmed on Monday following an email response from Gather Holdings, Shari’s parent company, after the lottery reached out for details.
Melanie Mesaros, a spokesperson for the Oregon Lottery, said that the agency had been aware of the restaurant chain’s financial difficulties but was not informed of the full scope or the impending decision to shut down operations statewide. The closures come as a surprise to many customers and employees, with no advance public notice or explanation from the company regarding the specific reasons behind the decision.
Shari’s Café and Pies has been a staple in Oregon’s dining scene for decades, offering comfort food and classic American dishes in a casual setting. The chain was especially known for its round-the-clock service and a variety of signature pies, which had made it a popular choice for diners seeking a relaxed meal at any hour. The closures mark the end of an era for the restaurant, which was often frequented by families, travelers, and late-night patrons.
While the company has yet to provide details on the exact factors that led to the closures, industry analysts suggest that a combination of rising operational costs, labor shortages, and shifts in dining habits could have contributed. The broader restaurant industry has been facing significant financial pressures in recent years, with many establishments struggling to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and inflation. Shari’s is not the only chain facing challenges, as numerous other regional and national dining brands have also downsized or shuttered locations amid similar circumstances.
The closure’s impact on employees remains unclear, as Gather Holdings has not released information regarding how many workers have been affected. With 42 locations now closed, the number of job losses is expected to be substantial, potentially leaving hundreds without work. The sudden nature of the closures has also raised concerns about whether affected employees will receive severance pay or assistance in finding new employment.
Gather Holdings has yet to issue a public statement regarding the future of Shari’s or plans for its other restaurant locations outside Oregon. For now, the fate of the brand and its employees remains uncertain, as the company faces questions from the public and authorities about what led to the abrupt decision.