Mo’s and Casa Ole’ at the mall are latest restaurants to announce closures

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Bryan-College Station has seen several new eateries open this year, but we’re also seeing several closed for various reasons.

It was shared publicly on Monday that Casa Ole’ inside Post Oak Mall will close after Wednesday. This comes not long after Stampede, a bar and restaurant at the mall, also shuttered its doors unexpectedly without explanation.

For those still looking to get their Casa Ole’ fix, the location in Bryan on Freedom Boulevard near Briarcrest remains open.

On Sunday, Mo’s Irish Pub closed its doors for good at Century Square.

Employees tell KBTX they were surprised to show up for work Sunday only to find a note on the door announcing its closure.

“Thank you for your love and support over the years, it has been a pleasure to serve the community,” the sign on the door said.

On Monday, we also found the doors locked on the new King Noodle Sushi on Texas Avenue in College Station. A sign on the door said the establishment was locked up due to nonpayment of rent.

These recent closings following several other high-profile spots that have closed in BCS recently including Imperial Chinese & Sushi on Highway 6 in Bryan and Naked Fish Sushi & Grill on Texas Avenue in College Station.

“Unfortunately, the challenges of the economy, escalating rent, and inflation have made it increasingly difficult for us to sustain our operations. Despite our best efforts, the financial burden has become too great for us to bear. I’m sorry we couldn’t keep the doors open. Please support local, because I’m not the first and I won’t be the last one,” said Naked Fish Sushi & Grill on Facebook.

Other restaurants to recently close include Rush Bowls in College Station, World of Beer, Mr. Hamburger, Tipsy Trinket, Mad Taco, IHOP near Northgate, Wayback Burgers, Which Wich, Saints & Sinners Cafe, Last Shot Xpresso, Mad Piez, and Muriels GF Bakery, and Jamba Juice on University Drive.

Amico Nave in Bryan also recently closed but that location is being remodeled into a new Shipwreck Grill by Wade and Mary Beckman.

In January, Glen Brewer, President and CEO of the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce described how tough the competition can be for some in Aggieland.

“It’s a hard business, and we want to celebrate the ones that are successful, but sometimes they can’t all make it, especially with the many new places as they’re coming into town,” said Brewer. “Business people come in, they take their risks. They’ve got to have income that comes in and beats their expenses and sometimes it just doesn’t happen. And with competition and new businesses, and new restaurants opening up, everyone doesn’t make it.”

Other experts say a variety of factors can weigh down a restaurant including rising costs of labor and food. Credit card transaction fees have also led to a nationwide problem within the restaurant industry.