Friendly's files for bankruptcy, 6 Capital Region locations closing
The Friendly's in Guilderland. Apparently those clouds were a portent.
Friendly's announced today that it's filed for bankruptcy (Chapter 11, the re-organization kind) -- and closing 63 "underperforming" locations, including six here in the Capital Region. [Friendly's press release]
The list of Capital Region closures is after the jump, as are the locations remaining. (It would appear this area was over Friendly'ed.)
Friendly's started in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1935. [Boston Globe]
Earlier on AOA: With bankruptcy on the horizon, Daniel ate the Buffalo chicken sliders at Friendly's
Capital Region Friendly's closing
Wolf Rd. - Colonie
Western Ave. - Guilderland
Delaware Ave. - Bethlehem
Altamont Ave. - Schenectady
Congress St. - Saratoga Springs
Upper Glen St. - Glens Falls
Locations to remain open
Central Ave - Albany
New Loudon Rd - Latham
Troy-Schenectady Rd - Latham
Hoosick St - Troy
Troy Road - East Greenbush
Saratoga Rd - Glenville
Route 146 - Clifton Park
Route 50 - Saratoga Springs
Aviation Rd - Queensbury
Who knew there were so many Friendly's in this area. It was all probably a little too Friendly.
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Comments
It says a lot that I work in Saratoga Springs and wasn't aware there was a Friendly's here.
... said Eric Stott on Oct 5, 2011 at 11:03 AM | link
A long time ago, there was a Friendly's on Delaware Ave in Albany. It's been empty for years. Just a sad, boarded up, abandoned little building.
... said ethan on Oct 5, 2011 at 11:07 AM | link
@Eric: Right? On top of the whatever food/service/operations problems they might have, there just seem to be too many locations.
@Ethan: And it could be a good location for something. About six months ago, I talked with a person who had checked the building out while looking for potential restaurant locations -- he said the building hadn't been properly sealed up, and there was all sorts of water damage from pipes that had burst during the winter. I wonder if the building is even usable now.
... said Greg on Oct 5, 2011 at 11:15 AM | link
So disappointed. Friendly's has always made me happy.
... said Kristi on Oct 5, 2011 at 11:54 AM | link
Surprised to see the Central Ave. location is on the "keep" list. I'm sure it does a good bit of business, but it's kind of the poster child for Friendly's problems, isn't it? Old, tattered appearance, food on the floor, slow...
They have several well-run locations around here, it isn't one.
... said James on Oct 5, 2011 at 12:38 PM | link
I guess there just aren't enough folks who like Friendly's enough to actually go there. With public employee layoffs and compensation cuts, there'll be even less discretionary money for consumers to spend in our already-fragile local economy. Hope the remaining Friendly's locations aren't counting on a rebounding economy anytime soon.
... said Bob on Oct 5, 2011 at 1:06 PM | link
the one in delmar was always filthy. sorry to see jobs lost, but even on a good day the food was horrendous.
... said miles on Oct 5, 2011 at 1:46 PM | link
Go figure that the Capital Region would have 15 Friendly's, but 0 Whole Foods, 0 Trader Joes, and 0 Zipcars.
... said Jason on Oct 5, 2011 at 2:23 PM | link
I can't say I'm surprised, but it is a little sad. When I was a child (early 1970s), the Friendly's in Delmar was the place where we would go when I was in Brownies and then Girl Scouts. My grandparents often took me to that Friendly's on weekends. It was a long walk - they didn't drive - but they did it for me. I loved the hot fudge sundaes.
... said Ellen on Oct 5, 2011 at 2:47 PM | link
Well I was shocked to find out that after 12years that I no longer have a job!!!!!! It still didn't hit me yet but I'm so sad
... said jennifer on Oct 5, 2011 at 3:37 PM | link
Love to see the Wine N Diner move into the one on Delaware Ave - or any of the others!
... said Tess on Oct 5, 2011 at 3:46 PM | link
Who would have guessed that many in our area? I recall when the one in Clifton Park burned to the ground a number of years ago that it was rebuilt in record time because it was one of then highest grossing stores in the chain. The atmosphere in that particular restaurant far surpasses my experiences in any of the others I have subjected myself to. I think it needs some thinning out and I agree that it would be nice to see some locals taking over the spaces and doing something new and interesting with them.
... said BobF on Oct 6, 2011 at 3:27 PM | link
This is sad to see, but with more Friendly's closing their doors, the below list is my unofficial tally of the remaining outposts in our fair region.
http://bit.ly/ClosingsReportedByWTEN
Hoosick St - Troy
Troy Road - East Greenbush
Route 146 - Clifton Park
Route 50 - Saratoga Springs
Aviation Rd - Queensbury
... said Daniel B. on Jan 8, 2012 at 11:45 PM | link