KAILUA-KONA — Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on Alii Drive will cease operations in December “due to lease expiration,” said company senior vice president and chief operating officer Jim Dufault on Wednesday.
Dufault did not go into detail about the circumstances surrounding the lease expiration and end of operations at the Kona location, but said the company is working to relocate its employees to other area locations.
“We are grateful for the support of the community and look forward to continuing to serve our guests at our Honolulu and Maui locations,” he said in a statement.
Restaurant staff on Wednesday referred questions to the company’s public relations office.
The property in which the restaurant is located, Waterfront Row, is owned by Honolulu-based Watumull Properties Corp.
Watumull Properties President J.D. Watumull said his firm is looking for a new tenant for the space. That building has an area of 5,523 square feet, according to the county’s Real Property Tax Office.
“And we’re disappointed they’re leaving,” Watumull said.
He estimated Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. has operated at that location about 20 years.
Email Cameron Miculka at cmiculka@westhawaiitoday.com.