Ulster Avenue mainstay Red Lobster shut down abruptly this week amid a nationwide shakeup at the seafood chain. The Town of Ulster location was one of 14 Red Lobster restaurants in New York and New Jersey and at least 50 nationwide that shut down on Monday as the company struggles with unsustainable debt and weighs a possible Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

On Wednesday, the Kingston Red Lobster website listed its hours of operation as “closed” Monday through Sunday. Alexandra Larios, a longtime server at the restaurant, said he end came quickly and with no warning for management or rank and file staff.

“Everyone worked Sunday for Mother’s Day and we got a text blast from corporate on Monday saying that this location is now closed. No warning,” Larios told Kingston Wire. Larios added that the restaurant’s general manager called her on Tuesday to personally inform her of the shutdown and thank her for her work there.

The wave of shutdowns — which also included locations in Poughkeepsie and Nanuet — comes as the Wall Street Journal reports that the chain is planning to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Florida and had contracted with a restaurant liquidator to auction off equipment from 52 locations in the U.S.

Executives at Red Lobster say the financial difficulties stem, at least in part, from the ongoing fallout of last year’s “Ultimate Endless Shrimp” promotion which offered diners all-you-can-eat shrimp (and a side of Cheddar Bay Biscuits) for just $20. Company officials concede that they miscalculated the financial impact of the move which was a primary contributor to an $11 million shortfall in the third quarter of 2023. For those still in need of a fast seafood fix, the Red Lobster in Middletown remains open, for now.