Another restaurant closes its doors in T.O.
Black Angus joins Hungry Hunter and Marie Callender's in closing
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

Stuart Anderson's Black Angus is no longer serving three-cheese garlic bread, slow-roasted prime rib or big mountain chocolate fudge cake in Thousand Oaks.

On Tues., April 8 employees showed up for work only to find an upper management person standing on the steps out front with their paychecks and some bad news. The restaurant was closed and wouldn't be opening up again. Employees were offered jobs at Black Angus restaurants in Ventura, Woodland Hills and Northridge if they wanted to commute.

The Thousand Oaks location was converted in 1991 to a Black Angus from a Velvet Turtle restaurant that was built in the early '70s. Much of the Velvet Turtle look was retained, and the large, dimly lit steakhouse continued to serve Conejo Valley residents.

That came to an end last week. After about 40 employees found they no longer had jobs serving food at Black Angus in Thousand Oaks, trucks pulled up to the back door and men began loading them with perishables and cases of beer to take to other Black Angus restaurants.

"Our lease ran out, and this facility doesn't fit the brand. It's a big, old money pit, an albatross," Black Angus vice president of operations, Tim Burns, said.

Black Angus has modern locations, he said, and the one in Thousand Oaks no longer fits the company's image, even though the restaurant had many wonderful years in the community of Thousand Oaks.

"Thousand Oaks has the perfect demographic," he said.

Letting the employees go without any warning is not what the company would usually do, Burns said.

"We did that to make sure none of the employees were given the opportunity to make a bad choice," he said.

Burns didn't elaborate.

On the building's front door was a sign that told customers, "We regret to inform you that this location is closed." Then the phone number (866) 929-0607 was listed. After calling that number, the caller is asked to press 0 before a recording of a woman with a British accent offers to take a message.

Thousand Oaks economic development manager Gary Wartik said restaurants in Thousand Oaks are doing just fine, although in less than a year the city has also lost Hungry Hunter and Marie Callender's restaurants.

A number of restaurants want to open up in the Marie Callender's building on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Wartik said.

He also noted the Black Angus property is owned by the same company that owns The Oaks mall. The mall is currently being renovated, and theaters and restaurants are being added.

While he understands that those who don't want to travel to work at a Black Angus outside Thousand Oaks are going through a difficult time, Wartik said experienced restaurant help is needed in other businesses in Thousand Oaks and expressed hope that those affected by the closure will be employed soon.

A man from Camarillo said his girlfriend had worked on Monday night at the Black Angus and went in to work on Tuesday and found the place had closed.

"They handed her a check and told her she could transfer to Ventura. She does not have hours guaranteed, but she has rent to pay just as if she was still working. She was very upset," he said.