Alan Smith Says Chick-fil-A Charleston Town Center Will Close Permanently

The end of an era for Chick-fil-A in Charleston Town Center

The long-standing presence of Chick-fil-A at the Charleston Town Center is coming to a permanent close. Alan Smith, the owner-operator of the location, announced via social media that the restaurant will shut its doors with no current plans to relocate. This decision marks the conclusion of a 34-year tenure for Smith, who has managed the site since its early years.

The closure follows a broader shift in the local retail landscape. According to a report by WSAZ, the Hull Property Group, which owns the Charleston Town Center, previously announced plans to close the interior of the mall. This structural change to the shopping center has created a ripple effect for long-term tenants like the Charleston Chick-fil-A.

While the exact timeline for the mall’s full closure remains unclear, Smith noted that staying operational into 2027 would present logistical hurdles that make continued business at the current site unviable. For the owner-operator, the decision was a matter of necessity rather than choice.

“Although the decision was not mine to make, I trust that it was not made lightly and that all options were painstakingly weighed before it was ultimately decided we would not move forward.”

Logistical challenges and the mall’s future

The decision to exit the mall is inextricably linked to the fate of the Charleston Town Center itself. As the interior of the mall faces closure, the infrastructure required to support a high-volume restaurant becomes increasingly uncertain. Smith indicated that the lack of a clear timeline for the mall’s total shutdown has made the math difficult for his specific operation.

The economic implications of such a closure extend beyond the loss of a popular dining option. When anchor-adjacent tenants or long-term operators exit a shopping center, it often signals a shifting demographic or a change in the commercial utility of the space. For the Charleston community, the loss of a business that has operated for over three decades represents a significant change in the local service landscape.

Smith expressed a commitment to his staff during this period of transition. He emphasized that his priority remains supporting his “tightly-knit team” as they navigate the end of this business chapter. The restaurant intends to maintain its service standards through its final days of operation.

A 34-year chapter concludes

For Smith, the closure is deeply personal. He reflected on his journey from a “young kid” who was welcomed by the community 34 years ago to the person now managing the restaurant’s final weeks. The business, identified as restaurant #381, has become a fixture of the Charleston Town Center’s identity.

The restaurant’s final weeks are intended to serve as a “fond farewell” to a loyal customer base. Smith noted that the team is focused on executing this final chapter with pride, ensuring that the brand’s signature service remains intact until the very last day. The transition will be marked by the same culture that defined the location for more than three decades.

As the mall’s interior continues to change, the departure of established tenants like Chick-fil-A serves as a concrete indicator of the evolving retail environment in West Virginia. The immediate future of the Charleston Town Center remains a subject of local interest as the community watches how the space will be repurposed following the exit of its long-term occupants.

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