It's always unfortunate when an area loses another restaurant, be that a chain or a local one. Not only is that an entire staff out of a job, but it's also one less option for the folks who live nearby.

Over the past two years, it's definitely something we've, sadly, gotten used to. Now, we have to mourn the loss of yet another establishment in Okemos.

It Appears Outback Steakhouse Has Closed in Okemos

We, at first, had only heard rumors of what was happening at the Okemos location of Outback Steakhouse, located at 4880 Marsh Rd.

One Facebook user in the group "Lansing Foodies" posted on January 21st saying they saw a "for sale" sign as well as a dumpster in the parking lot and asked when the location closed.

Commenters followed up saying they had just eaten there days before and hadn't been told anything and others offered up what they thought the reason may have been.

One suggested reason for the close was that the owner had taken over the Lansing location and decided to close this one, while another commenter suggested it was an increase in the rent for the building.

On another note, a "now hiring" post was just shared on December 29th, 2021 on the location's Facebook page...

Now, not trying to stir up trouble here, but why share that if you know you will be closing less than a month later? Did they not know? How sudden was the move to close?

Speculation aside, the "for sale" sign out front and "permanently closed" showing up on Google and Facebook, is enough to prove to us that Okemos Outback lovers will have to go elsewhere to get their "bloomin' onion" on.

Outback Steakhouse Locations in Michigan

While it is definitely a bummer for the folks in Okemos to lose a location so close to them, there still is an Outback Steakhouse in Lansing, at 617 N Canal Rd.

There is also a location in Jackson as well as 17 other around the state, per the Outback Steakhouse website.

What Restaurants Should Open Up in Okemos Now?

As the building now sits empty and for sale, what do we think should take its place?

Recently, Lansing's new all-you-can-eat sushi joint, Ohana Sushi, opened its doors inside what was another Outback Steakhouse location at 707 Brookside Dr.

We love to see new locally-owned businesses popping up and maybe one could take the Okemos Outback's place...or maybe another chain?

People have their favorites and chain restaurants become chains by becoming favorites so it would make sense.

Either way, we feel like we are rambling here, the real question is simply, what would you like to see go in where Outback Steakhouse once stood?

While we eulogize the Okemos Outback, here's a look at some other Lansing-area gems we lost last year:

A Look Back at the Lansing Restaurants That We Lost in 2021

Lansing is home to tons of great food, but like the sign of the times, we did lose a few restaurants in the year that was 2021. Take a look down memory lane with us as we explore some now closed restaurants in Lansing.

MORE TO EXPLORE: Michigan Restaurants Featured On The Food Network

 

 

 

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