Black Angus Steakhouse closed its lone Tucson location Tuesday, ending 30 years of serving steaks and frosty margaritas at Oracle and River roads.
Black Angus officials said the closing came as the company's lease for the building at 5075 N. Oracle Road expired.
"We elected not to renew our lease," said Stacy Schulist, Black Angus' marketing director. "We are still committed to the Arizona market and we are actively looking for new locations in Phoenix and Tucson."
Schulist said the company has no immediate plans to open a Tucson restaurant but is looking for locations.
The closing was the latest casualty for a corner that several years ago was dominated by national chain restaurants. In late 2007, TGI Fridays closed after eight years. It was replaced in spring 2010 by The Good Egg.
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Hometown Buffet, next door to Black Angus, closed last year and will be replaced by Daniel Lu's U Like Oriental Buffet. No opening date has been set.
Red Lobster is the lone holdout. It's been at the corner of Oracle and River for at least 25 years, company officials said.
Finding a new tenant for the 10,000-square-foot Black Angus building could be a challenge, said landlord G.T. Alley III of Broadway Realty & Trust Inc.
The building was custom-made for the restaurant and features a ranch-style design with a sunken bar and lounge area, and spacious dining room with soundproof nooks.
"The size of the building is larger than most full-service restaurants," Alley said.
Alley said he believes whoever ends up leasing the spot will likely tear down the building.
"And it's a shame. It's an iconic building," he said. "Over the years it's been a great steakhouse and nightlife spot."
Although he has spoken to company officials about the lease, Black Angus as of Wednesday had not notified Alley that it was closing. The company's lease is good until September, he said.
DID YOU KNOW?
Numerous online readers of the Arizona Daily Star commented Wednesday on StarNet that they now avoid driving to the intersection of Oracle and River roads because of the city's red-light camera there. Those commenters think that may be a factor in several restaurants closing there in recent years.
Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@azstarnet.com or 573-4642.