Wilmington sports bar closes after almost three years in business

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux at Independence Mall has closed its doors for the last time.

From a note taped on the door of the restaurant addressed to Wilmington from restaurant ownership, "this decision was not made lightly, and we want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support over the years."

The notice of the Louisiana-inspired restaurant closure came just one day after the University of North Carolina Wilmington men's baseball team watched the NCAA Baseball Tournament selection show at the restaurant. The team earned an automatic spot in this year's tournament with its CAA title Sunday.

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Walk-On's was a couple months away from its three-year anniversary in Wilmington as it opened in July 2021, according to prior coverage of the restaurant's opening.

The restaurant is part of a chain founded in 2003 by Brandon Landry, a former walk-on basketball player at Louisiana State University. The chain is based in Baton Rouge and in 2015, NFL All-Pro quarterback Drew Brees joined the business as an owner.

At the time of its opening, the assistant general manager said the fried alligator and gumbo where fan favorites. The restaurant also offered salads, sandwiches, seafood, burgers, wraps and pastas. Beignets and real Krispy Kreme bread pudding were on the dessert menu.

Other chain locations are scattered throughout the Southern United States, but the Wilmington location isn't the only regional location that has closed. Fayetteville and Myrtle Beach's Walk-On's locations have also closed.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux at Independence Mall in Wilmington, NC, closed