GEORGIA, — After the shell-shocking news that several Red Lobster locations were closing, the contents of two restaurants in Georgia were snapped up by the highest bidder during an auction.
The contents of both locations, one in Athens and another in Roswell, went for a "shrimp-tacular" $15,000 each, according to RestaurantEquipment.Bid Auctions. That price included everything from restaurant equipment to lobster traps to crabby utensils.
The website said these were some of the key items available:
- High-performance ovens
- Upright refrigerators and freezers
- Cooking and warming solutions
- Comprehensive bar and dining setups
- Featured brands may include Victory, Middleby, Blodgett, Pitco, Traulsen, and Hoshizaki
The two north Georgia locations were among dozens of Red Lobster locations across the country abruptly shuttered their doors on Monday. More than 90 Red Lobster locations in at least 27 states were listed as "temporarily closed" on the restaurant's website.
Workers at the shuttered restaurants shared their disbelief on social media and said they received no notice whatsoever.
The closures come as bankruptcy rumors circled the seafood restaurant chain in recent weeks. Red Lobster has been searching for a buyer to avoid filing for Chapter 11, multiple media outlets reported last month.
The Orlando-based chain, known for its endless shrimp deals, has reportedly been eyeing bankruptcy filing to restructure its debt and downsize from its 650 US locations, CNN reports.
The company has yet to publicly acknowledge Monday's closures and did not respond to a request for comment.
Editor's note: This story was updated to clarify that the contents of the restaurants were up for sale.