Shrimp Basket Closes Tuscaloosa Location & 5 Others as Chain Pulls Back to Coastal Spots

The Shrimp Basket on Tuscaloosa's McFarland Boulevard closed Sunday, one of six locations the chain’s parent company shut down as it pulls back to the coast.

Artistry Restaurants, which is headquartered in Winter Park, Florida, announced Monday that it closed Shrimp Basket restaurants in Tuscaloosa, Bay Minette, Cullman, Gardendale and Auburn, along with the Warrington location in Pensacola, Florida, effective Sunday, November 1.

All five Alabama closures were inland locations in the northern and central parts of the state.

Get our free mobile app

Back to the Beach

In a statement sent to the Thread, Artistry said it is concentrating on Shrimp Basket’s 12 remaining beach and coastal restaurants.

“While never an easy decision, it is our responsibility to the team and our guests to ensure the continued strength of the Shrimp Basket brand,” said Bryan Lockwood, CEO of Artistry Restaurants. “Upon re-evaluation and reflection, we decided that our strength comes from our origins as a true coastal seafood restaurant and that returning to our roots as a brand, while directing our resources and future investments towards our beach and coastal locations, will best serve our teams and guests.”

Lockwood said the shift is meant to support what he called the chain’s long-term plan.

The company said the clustering of its restaurants around Pensacola also factored into which locations closed.

What Happens to the Staff

Artistry said it wants to keep the employees it has and is working with affected workers to find transfers to other locations.

The release did not say how many people the six closures affected.

Artistry acquired Shrimp Basket in May 2020. The company said that since the acquisition it has worked with store teams on initiatives including a program called Gulf to Guest, a family meals menu, an employee recognition program called the Big Catch Award and increased marketing spending.

For more exclusive coverage of restaurants in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.