Classic restaurant chain and Papa John’s rival abruptly closes most stores in ‘darkest days’ after 30 years of service

A POPULAR pizza chain has announced they are closing three of its five restaurants, effective immediately.

HotLips Pizza has been serving up its beloved dishes since 1984, but announced on Monday that it would be closing the majority of its stores.

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The chain put the closures down to economic issues and labor shortages, as well as the knock-on effect of Covid-19.

The Papa John’s rival is known amongst locals as a ‘Portland Institution’, and is famous for its soda pops and creative pizzas.

Soda pop flavors include ginger ale, apple, raspberry, marionberry, and lemon.

The Oregon chain even boasts its own hot sauce line, with HotLips Jalapeno and Habanero sauces available to purchase in-store and online.

“It is with a terribly heavy heart that we must close these beloved stores and have the first layoffs in our history,” co-owner Jeana Edelman said.

The three locations closed their doors for good on Monday, March 27.

Edelman called it “one of the darkest days in HotLips’ history.”

Some people reacted to the news on Twitter.

“Worked there for many years. Sad day. Best Pizza in Portland,” one former employee said.  

Not everyone shared the same sentiment, however.

“I gotta be honest here. The pizza wasn’t that great”, one Twitter user said.

HotLips has also engaged in a number of social justice causes.

In 2021, the company raised money for the Black Resilience Fund in celebration of Juneteenth.

The company’s two remaining restaurants are located in the Pearl District and on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland.

They will continue to serve up their famous dishes, as well as offering a mobile pizza trailer for special events.

The company’s two remaining restaurants are in the Pearl District and on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard.

They will also continue to operate their 16-foot mobile food unit for catered events.

Store closures have been increasing across the United States.

Burger King has announced that 26 locations will close in April, largely impacting the Detroit area.

Over the past year, Best Buy closed about a dozen stores.

Bath & Body Works said it plans to close about 50 mall-based stores in 2023.

Department store retailer Macy’s is planning to shutter 120 stores this year.

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