The Coronavirus pandemic has hit the local restaurant industry hard, and Friendly's was having a hard time to begin with.
Boston.com reported this morning that the Wilbraham-based chain will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This is happening amidst a sale process that was getting underway before the pandemic struck.
Last year, Friendly's closed a number of restaurants throughout the state, including the one in my neck of the woods. I took my kids for one last Supermelt and Resse's Sunday; it was bittersweet. When I was a kid, my Nana would take me to the Friendly's across the street from her house where my uncle worked. It would always be on a Friday night and she would always order the Fishamajig, whether it was Lent or not. And my uncle would always come out from the kitchen to say hello. Good memories.
The good news? All 130 Friendly's locations that are currently open are expected to stay that way. Here's hoping.
