Champps closes its doors in Marlton

EVESHAM - It’s a sad day for fans of Champps in Marlton.

The Route 73 restaurant and sports bar closed its doors for good Saturday night after rumors had been circulating on social media for months.

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A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page reads, “Thank you to everyone for the last 21 years. Thank you to all of (the) guests that loved us. Thank you to all of the employees that gave it everything you had, each and every day. It is a very, very sad day for us.’’

Numerous comments were left by loyal customers who recall the restaurant in better times, talking of past support for community events and of employees now looking for work.

Champps, which is a national chain based in the Twin Cities, still has locations in Pennsylvania in King of Prussia and Collegeville. A location in Edison closed in early 2015, among clusters of closings around the country.

Champps parent company Fox & Hound was bought out of bankruptcy in 2014 by Cerberus Business Finance. Cerberus, based in Dallas, filed for bankruptcy protection again early this month, according to The Dallas Morning News. A number listed for the company was busy for several hours on deadline.

The Facebook page What’s Up in Cherry Hill featured several commenters saying the location would soon house a Chickie’s & Pete’s, but Evesham Township Mayor Randy Brown said Monday that it’s up to the holders of the lease, and potentially Champps itself, who will next occupy the space.

“It’s in bankruptcy court, so it’s a little more of a process. The owners (of the 10,000-square-foot property) are going to listen to who the possible tenants might be. As of right now, there is no deal,’’ Brown said.

However, Brown, a former All-American football player who has coached for the Chicago Bears, the Philadelphia Eagles and (currently) the Baltimore Ravens, took the opportunity to say Chickie’s & Pete’s would be a good option to replace the sports-themed venue.

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“I’m a big Pete Ciarrocchi fan,’’ Brown said of the co-founder. “We’ve been friends for 25 years, and it would be a perfect fit for that exact location,’’ he said, adding that a high-end housing development is going in nearby as part of larger township redevelopment plans.

The decision could come from the landowners or leasing agent, but also may be influenced by the owners of Champps, who could sublease the space for the next five to 10 years, Brown said.

“It would be a great destination. I’m a sports guy, of course. Holistically, we’ve got 18 bars and restaurants, and we’ve got a great mix.  … I can say I’m rooting for Chickie’s & Pete’s, I’m the mayor here and I have zero say in what happens, so people can’t be happy with me if it shows up or sad if it doesn’t.’’

Brown also suggested P.J.W. Restaurant Group, which owns P.J. Whelihan’s and other brands, may also be a good fit for the space. “There are a lot of great operators out there,’’ he concluded.