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Monday, March 3, 2008 , Updated 11:57 a.m., June 13, 2008

UPDATED: Carrabba’s in Rockwall abruptly closes; old Lakewood location to become Ali Baba

by Teresa Gubbins

ROCKWALL — The Rockwall branch of Carrabba's shut down on Monday March 3, with employees arriving to find a pad-locked door.

"The corporation decided it's not making enough money," said an apologetic employee who answered the phone.

This is the third local Carrabba's to be shuttered abruptly, following the closure of the Lakewood and Preston Center branches in August.

Meanwhile: The vacant Lakewood location will become home to Ali Baba, which is shutting down its original Greenville Avenue location, confirmed by a manager at the Ali Baba in Richardson.

"We're hoping to have the Lakewood location open by April -- Greenville Avenue isn't what it used to be," he said.

Despite the three local closures, Carrabba's continues to open branches; their "What's New" page shows branches opening in Florida, Tennessee, Arizona, and New Jersey.

Four area Carrabba's remain: North Dallas, east Plano, Grapevine, and Hurst.

In addition to Ali Baba's newly-moved Richardson location on 75 and the soon-to-be-moved Ali Baba on Greenville, there is also an Ali Baba in Irving.

UPDATE: Lakewood Ali Baba is open.

Staff
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Anonymous

Mike Orren, says:

*"The vacant Lakewood location will become home to Ali Baba"*

Sorry to Greenvile-ites and all, but this Far East Dallas resident is dancing a metaphorical jig.

Staff

1 year, 8 months ago
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Ahem, I think I speak for everyone living off Lower Greenville when I say, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

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1 year, 8 months ago
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xdavidwattsx, says:

I have to say, for chain italian food, Carrabba's actually wasn't bad. So riddle me this - how does a place like Carrabba's fail but crap like Olive Garden and Macaroni Grill stay in business?

Anonymous

1 year, 8 months ago
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Geoff Keah, says:

I find all the closures of Carrabba's kind of baffling. I always found their food to be pretty decent. Maybe the price point of some of their dishes? Who knows. Will be curious if their other locations will remain. Sorta remniscient of the demise of Tony Romas...

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1 year, 8 months ago
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Andrew Laska, says:

Andrea's Italian -- not far from lowest, lowest Greenville -- is opening a Richardson location. Thai Soon moved to Richardson. Ali Baba opened there last year. Big Shucks -- whose other location is near Abrams and Mockingbird -- opened a location in Richardson (although it closed due to fire. They have a sign saying they are coming back, and work appears to be happening.)

Do I spot a trend?

Andrew

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1 year, 8 months ago
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bobdon000, says:

Shame on Carrabba's owners if they didn't have the courtsey to notify employees in advance.

And there is no way Carrabba's can be successful in New Jersey which is populated by many great mom-and-pop owned authentic itilaian restaurants.

Anonymous

1 year, 8 months ago
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Chris Kidd, says:

Carabbas has had issues since Johnny Carabba and Damien Mandola decided to sell the company to OSI Restaurant Partners(Who also run Outback) all the way back in 93. They still operate the two original stores in Houston and Damien runs a italian market down in Austin, but they havent touched the chain in years.

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1 year, 8 months ago
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Shannon Thornton, says:

I've been a little worried about Ali Baba for a while, since seeing Worldwide Foods go the way of the cheesy nightclub. I'm happy to see the upgrade and that they're staying put in East Dallas. We've been eating there since college (just turned 40) and I'm happy to see they've done nothing but grow their consistently good, well-priced middle eastern fare (their lunchtime crowd in Irving is amazing). I say YAY.

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1 year, 8 months ago
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David Gates, says:

Well, Lakewood is merely a stone's throw from Lower Greenville, and this location should have a larger capacity. Having waited for a table at Ali Baba's more times than I can count, I can't wait for the new location to open. Not to mention the fact that I can walk there.

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1 year, 8 months ago
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baudburn, says:

As a "Greenville-ite", I'm very sad to see this place go. I hope this isn't a continuing trend, but with the constant politics, resident vs. bar bickering, increasingly oppressive RPO, and inexplicable opposition to rezoning both cityville and the giant empty carnaval lot, it's no wonder the place I call home is seemingly starting to go down the shi* tubes... :( Whole foods is leaving too... None of this bodes well for people like me who hate driving and love walking.