‘Dying chain,’ cries fans as Friendly’s abruptly closes location after 42 years – and diners ‘hate’ its replacement

A LOCAL ice cream restaurant is shutting down for good to make space for a popular coffee chain.

The announcement, made in February, came as a shock to both staff and loyal customers who have frequented the beloved ice cream parlor for decades.

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After serving the Greenfield community for 42 years, Friendly’s will close its doors this Sunday, marking the end of an era at 200 Mohawk Trail.

Friendly’s management expressed deep gratitude to the community in their statement, per The Greenfield Recorder.

“We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support from the Greenfield community over the past 42 years.

“Our loyal customers have been the cornerstone of our success, and for this, we extend our heartfelt gratitude.

“After careful consideration and market evaluations, we have reached the difficult decision to conclude operations at our Greenfield, MA, location in September 2024.

“Until then, we remain committed to providing joyful dining experiences to all our guests.”

BITTERSWEET ENDING

As Friendly’s winds down, Manager Maelin Manning, who began working as a hostess at 16 and became a manager at 19, reflects on the bittersweet experience of the final days.

“It’s kind of bittersweet,” Manning said, according to the outlet.

“We had a bunch of regulars in this morning. A lot of people are giving us their phone numbers saying, ‘Keep in contact.’

“We have people buying souvenirs and stuff. Everyone’s just trying to come in and grab a little piece of Friendly’s as we’re going.”

The abrupt change in closure date — from a winter shutdown to September — was a blow to the staff, who were not informed until July.

Manning and other employees, like Kara Franciosi, who has served at the Mohawk Trail location for over nine years, expressed their gratitude for the community’s support and shared their emotional farewells.

The closure of Friendly’s is part of a broader trend affecting the chain, which has seen numerous locations shutter across the country in the past decade.

In western Massachusetts, only nine Friendly’s locations will remain operational, with several clustered around the Springfield area.

NOT TOO FRIENDLY

The building’s new tenant will be a Starbucks coffeehouse, a decision that has sparked backlash on social media.

Local residents and former customers have voiced their discontent, with many expressing frustration over the replacement.

Comments on Facebook include sentiments like, “Just what the world needs, another friggin Starbucks.”

“Hate Starbucks,” wrote someone else.

Friendly’s origins date back to 1935 in Springfield, when brothers Prestley and Curtis Blake opened their first store.

The chain expanded rapidly and by 1974 had over 500 restaurants across the mid-Atlantic and northeastern US.

In other store closure news, a popular pizza chain with several locations has shut down after 65 years.

Plus, Kevin Hart’s vegan fast food chain has shut down two years after opening.